People whose income is chronically below the federal poverty level during their adult life seem to have significantly more problems in old age. Researchers surveyed 1,124 people with an average age of 63-65 in 1994 who had also been surveyed in 1965, 1974 and 1983. Those whose income was less than 200% of the federal poverty level on more than one of those surveys were more likely to have problems living independently compared to those not in that category. They were also more likely to be diagnosed with depression. There was no evidence that illness had caused their economic hardship.