Across Pennsylvania, seniors are feeling the squeeze of rising costs for groceries, health care, prescriptions, utilities, housing, and other necessities. For people living on Social Security and other fixed or limited incomes, there is often little room to absorb another increase—or an unexpected expense.

 

At the same time, Pennsylvania seniors are facing policy choices that could make it even harder to get by. Congressmen Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), and Scott Perry (PA-10) all voted for the Republican Tax Law, which included historic cuts to programs seniors and families rely on while providing tax breaks to wealthy Americans and corporations. They have also voted six times over the last year in support of cost-raising tariffs and supported continued military action in Iran.

 

Pennsylvanians are already paying $4,200 more per year for necessities than they did in 2024. For seniors living on fixed incomes, those higher costs can mean putting off medical care, struggling to afford groceries, or worrying about whether there will be enough money left to pay the bills.

 

The affordability crisis doesn't end when you retire. After a lifetime of working, raising families, caring for communities, and contributing to Pennsylvania, seniors should be able to afford the basics and live with dignity—not spend their retirement choosing which necessities they can do without.

 

The stories that follow come directly from Pennsylvania seniors living this reality. They show what rising costs look like beyond the statistics—and what is at stake when policymakers fail to make affordability a priority.

 

These are their stories.