Life in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Women's Health, Finances, and Retirement Outlook

Despite progress made in recent decades in terms of educational attainment and career opportunities, women are at greater risk of not achieving a financially secure retirement than men. This disparity is attributable to the persistent gender pay gap and women taking time out of the workforce for parenting and caregiving. The pandemic exacerbated these headwinds. Many women have been stretched beyond their limits, juggling employment with home schooling their children and caregiving for aging loved ones.

Life in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Women’s Health, Finances, and Retirement Outlook examines the experiences of employed women of for-profit companies and the impacts of the pandemic on their health, employment, financial well-being, and retirement preparedness. 

The research report is based on findings from the 21st Annual Retirement Survey of Workers which was conducted in late 2020 when COVID-19 cases were surging, and many businesses were shuttered or operating at limited capacity.