The Basic Economic Security Tables™ Index (BEST) is a measure of the basic needs and assets workers require for economic security throughout a lifetime and across generations.

The BEST addresses the several pieces of the larger basic economic security picture—basic needs, savings and employment-based benefits—and allows a broad and complete view of worker needs and families’ prospects for achieving the economic security so critical to their futures and to their communities.

BEST values have been calculated for the United States and six state and regions to assist policymakers, researchers, advocates and media who assess the status of the nation’s workers, the needs of America’s families, and the state of the nation—today and in coming years. BEST data increases awareness of the challenges faced by hard working American families and points to important policies and jobs that allow these families to build and achieve economic security.

The Basic Economic Security Tables™ (BEST) for the United States

• The Basic Economic Security Tables for the United States (full report)
• The Basic Economic Security Tables for the United States Methodology and Supplemental Data
• The Basic Economic Security Tables for the United States - All Families (excel spreadsheet)
• Coming Up Short: Wages, Public Assistance and Economic Security Across America (brief)
• PRESS RELEASE: New Report Defines Economic Security, Shows Families Struggling to Reach American Dream (April 1, 2011)

 

Living Below the Line: Economic Insecurity and America's Families

• Living Below the Line: Economic Insecurity and America's Families (full report)
• Living Below the Line Infographic
• PRESS RELEASE: New Report Finds that Nearly Half of All Americans Lack Economic Security (November 22, 2011)

 

Media

• 4-1-11, Many Low-Wage Jobs Seen as Failing to Meet Basic Needs, New York Times
• 4-4-11, Want Fries With that Recovery? Even the Employed Face Continued Crunch, Seattle Times
• 4-4-11, When Having a Job Isn't Quite Enough, Nashua Telegraph
• 4-3-11, Study Shows New Jobs Not Allowing an Average Family to Meet Basic Economic Needs, the Examiner
• 4-2-11, Future Jobs Won't Support Decent Living Standard: Report, Muzi.com
• 4-2-11, Findings Report Gap Between Rich, Poor Widens, Yahoo! News
• 4-1-11, Podcast: Jobs, Wages and Middle-Class Costs, New York Times Economix Blog
• 4-1-11, Report: Job Growth Doesn't Mean Economic Security for Families, WBAY San Francisco
• 4-1-11, As CEO Pay Soars, Many New Jobs Fail To Provide A Living Wage, The Huffington Post
• 4-1--11. $58,000: The Price of Economic Security for an American Family, The Atlantic
• 4-1-11, Unemployment: The Good News, The Bad News and What to Do About It, Forbes
• 4-1-11, This Week in Mostly Awful Job News, Time