SPMGEOADJANC12_19RYALT is a 22-digit floating point variable.

Description

SPMGEOADJANC12_19RYALT is used to adjust the anchored Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) threshold (SPMTHRESHANC12_19RYALT) for geographic differences in the cost of living. It represents the ratio of the 2012-anchored threshold without adjustment for geographic cost-of-living to the 2012-anchored threshold with geographic adjustment.

This variable is an alternative version of SPMGEOADJANC12 reflects variables that were re-released for the 2020 ASEC which reflects methodological changes first introduced with the 2021 CPS ASEC sample. For more information, see our documentation on the re-release of the 2019 SPM research file in the 2020 ASEC that describes methodological improvements that impact SPM resource and threshold variables. The SPM reference year is the calendar year to which the income, taxes, transfers, expenses, and poverty thresholds apply.

The variable can be used to calculate geographically unadjusted, 2012-anchored SPM thresholds (e.g., by dividing SPMTHRESHANC12_19RYALT by SPMGEOADJANC12_19RYALT); its function is comparable to the unanchored SPMGEOADJ_19RYALT. Indeed, because only the baseline threshold is anchored and adjusted for inflation and the geographic adjustment is based on the reference year, SPMGEOADJ_19RYALT and SPMGEOADJANC12_19RYALT will be identical in years when both are available. Refer to this example within the Historical SPM user note that shows the calculation of the SPM thresholds and geographic adjustment factor. This is one of three anchored variables created by the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University as part of their Historical SPM project. SPMTHRESHANC12_19RYALT records a family's SPM poverty threshold anchored to 2012, and SPMPOVANC12_19RYALT is a dichotomous measure of poverty status using the anchored threshold.

Comparability

This variable is comparable over time.

Universe

Flags

Unharmonized Variables