Women and Retirement 

November 7, 2023

Today’s women are better educated and enjoy career opportunities that were unimaginable 50 years ago. Despite this progress, the gender retirement gap persists. Women lag behind men when it comes to saving and planning for retirement. Many women don’t have enough income to save for retirement, women are less likely to be offered retirement benefits, and they have significantly less in total household retirement savings compared with men. 

Based on the 23rd Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey, this report illustrates issues how women workers employed by for-profit companies are juggling competing priorities and financially preparing for the future. 2023 represents the18th consecutive year that TCRS has published research on women’s retirement-related risks along with actions to help mitigate them. 

November 17, 2022

Women face a risky retirement outlook due to societal headwinds such as the gender pay gap and time out of the workforce for parenting and caregiving. The pandemic has intensified this tenuous situation. 2022 represents the 17th consecutive year that TCRS has published research on women and retirement. Based on the 22nd Annual Retirement Survey, this report examines the experiences of women employed by for-profit companies, and the impacts of the pandemic on their health, employment, financial well-being, and retirement preparedness. It also provides actionable recommendations for women, employers, and policymakers so that current and future generations of women can achieve retirement security.

March 8, 2022

In celebration of International Women's Day and Women's History Month, we are promoting retirement security for women around the world. Based on a decade of retirement research, TCRS and a global collaboration of experts developed "Five Fundamentals for Retirement Readiness" which are everyday steps that can empower women to build long-term financial security and sustain healthy aging. See how women around the world are performing on these Five Fundamentals:

1. Start Saving Early and Habitually
2. Create a Written Retirement Strategy
3. Have a Backup Plan for Unforeseen Events
4. Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle 
5. Embrace Lifelong Learning 

October 29, 2021

Life in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Women’s Health, Finances, and Retirement offers research findings from TCRS’ 21st Annual Retirement Survey of workers. It explores how women are living through a public health crisis and how it is affecting their work, finances and plans for retirement. Despite the disruption to their daily lives and pandemic-related financial strain, women are continuing to save for retirement. The report offers recommendations for women, employers, and policymakers.             

September 17, 2020

Women and Retirement: Risks and Realities Amid COVID-19 is based on findings from TCRS’ 20th Annual Retirement Survey of workers, which comprises a supplemental survey conducted in June 2020 and a broader survey completed in late 2019. This report examines women’s finances before and during the pandemic, their expectations about retirement, and includes comparisons with men. It also offers actionable recommendations for improving outcomes in women’s long-term retirement preparedness.

February 19, 2020

The New Social Contract: Achieving Retirement Equality for Women highlights the challenges that make it difficult for women to accumulate sufficient savings during their career to achieve a financially secure retirement. The report outlines recommendations for women, employers, and governments to reduce the gender retirement gap in order to ultimately achieve an equal retirement landscape for all.