The economic status and problems of seniors, people aged 55–64
years,
have been neglected, particularly those of women. Following a summary of
government policy in Canada regarding income transfers, this paper reports
upon an analysis of data from the 1993 national Survey of Labour and Income
Dynamics. Attention is given to relative poverty and financial dependence
within households, as types of economic constraint. Both are higher among
seniors than either the middle aged or the elderly. Senior women are the
most
likely to be dependent. The implications of these findings for future fiscal
policy are discussed. It is concluded that more attention in gerontology
needs
to be given to this age group.