Ignorer la navigation
How Does Gender Equity Affect Women in Retirement?
Article

How Does Gender Equity Affect Women in Retirement?



Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Analytical
  • Well Structured
  • Concrete Examples

Recommendation

Brookings Institution economic policy researchers William Gale and Grace Enda explain how the 19th Amendment overlooked issues of female poverty in retirement and offer ideas for rectifying the gaps. Women have less money in retirement due to their longevity and caregiving roles as well as – in the United States – the impact of government policies. To lessen the number of elderly women below the poverty line, the government could change how it calculates Social Security benefits and implement an “automatic IRA program.” This report provides important information for policy-makers, elected officials, HR directors and women dealing with retirement.

Take-Aways

  • The 19th Amendment increased women’s equality, but inequality still affects many areas, including retirement.
  • Women’s lifetime income and earning records translate to less money during retirement.
  • Living longer while having less retirement income leaves more elderly women in poverty. 

About the Authors

William G. Gale is director of the Retirement Security Project for the Brookings Institution as well as a senior fellow. Grace Enda is a senior research assistant in the Economic Studies program.