This article analyzes the characteristics of individuals age 60 and over who were interstate migrants between 1965 and 1970. It specifically examines the impact of elderly migration on seven major sending and seven major receiving states. When the outmigrant total was compared with the elderly residents left behind in the major origin states, a negative impact was apparent because of the positive selectivity of migrants on age, marital status, and economic independence. Conversely, when the inmigrant total was compared with older in-place residents in destination states, a positive impact was discerned from the addition of younger, married, more economically independent newcomers. The primary exception to these patterns was California, where both elderly inmigrants and outmigrants, as compared with the residentially stable, tended to be more economically dependent. The conclusions suggest that migrant characteristics as well as changing numbers of the elderly should be considered in funding formulas for federal elderly support programs.
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