Women and Retirement

Women Retirement Research 2020

Since 2006, Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies has been publishing research reports and pursuing outreach campaigns regarding women as part of its annual retirement survey. TCRS aims to raise awareness of retirement risks that women face in order to affect positive change.

TCRS research has found that women around the world are concerned about retirement. Women can take greater control of their financial futures by taking small steps that can ultimately help lead to an improved long-term retirement readiness.

A Compendium of Findings About American Workers
20th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey (2019/2020)

Downloadable Materials: 

Report Excerpt - Influences of Gender on Retirement Readiness
Infographic - Retirement Security Priorities for the New President & Congress by Gender 
ClearPath Podcast - Women Leaving the Workforce Amid COVID-19 with Al Waller and Catherine Collinson
 

Women and Retirement: Risks and Realities Amid COVID-19 | June 2020 Supplemental Survey

Women and Retirement: Risks and Realities Amid COVID-19 is based on a June 2020 survey that supplements TCRS' 20th Annual Retirement Survey. While women have made great strides in educational achievement and career opportunities, they continue to be at greater risk than men of not achieving a financially secure retirement. This report examines women’s finances before and during the pandemic, and their expectations about retirement. The report also offers actionable recommendations for improving outcomes in women’s long-term retirement preparedness. 

Downloadable Materials: 

Women and Retirement: Risks and Realities Amid COVID-19 - Report 
Women and Retirement: Risks and Realities Amid COVID-19 - Press Release -- September 17, 2020
20 Facts About Women's Retirement Outlook and 11 Steps to Improve It - Fact Sheet
 

Retirement Security for Women Amid COVID-19 | April 2020 Supplemental Survey

Retirement Security for Women Amid COVID-19 is based on an April 2020 survey that supplements TCRS' 20th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey. The report shows that women continue to lag behind men in retirement preparedness and offers comparisons to men. The report also sheds light on specific areas of concern for women, such as a lack of retirement confidence, not enough steps being taken to maintain good health, and low retirement savings. It also offers 11 specific recommendations for women to combat these challenges. 

Downloadable Materials: 

Retirement Security for Women Amid COVID-19 - Report -- June 3, 2020
 

The New Social Contract: Achieving Retirement Equality for Women

This report highlights the gravity of these challenges and outlines five fundamentals for empowering women to improve their retirement outlook and recommendations for employers and governments globally to adopt a new social contract that reduces the gender retirement gap -- and ultimately, achieves a more equal future retirement landscape for all. The final section of this report provides snapshots of key findings between women and men across the 15 countries surveyed. 

"The New Social Contract: Achieving Retirement Equality for Women" report was produced in collaboration between Aegon Center for Longevity and Retirement (ACLR), and nonprofits Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies® (TCRS) and Instituto de Longevidade Mongeral Aegon.

Downloadable Materials: 

The New Social Contract: Achieving Retirement Equality for Women - Report
The New Social Contract: Achieving Retirement Equality for Women - Press Release - February 19, 2020

A Compendium of Findings About American Workers
19th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey (2018)

Downloadable Materials:

Report Excerpt on Influences of Gender on Retirement Readiness

Nineteen Facts About Women and Retirement
Select Findings from the 19th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey of Workers

Downloadable Materials:

Research Report
Press Release - November 14, 2019
Fact Sheet - Nineteen Facts About Women's Retirement Outlook... and 10 Steps to Improve It
Hoja de datos - Diecinueve datos sobre las perspectivas de jubilación de las mujeres... y diez pasos para mejorarlos (Fact Sheet in Spanish)

A Compendium of Findings About American Workers
18th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey (2017)

Downloadable Materials:

Report Excerpt on Influences of Gender on Retirement Readiness

Here and Now: How Women Can Take Control of Their Retirement
Select Findings from the 18th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey of Workers

Downloadable Materials:

Research Report
Press Release - March 5, 2018
Fact Sheet - Eighteen Facts About Women's Retirement Outlook... and Nine Steps to Improve It

Infographics and Shareable Images:

Women's Retirement Readiness Around the World in 2018

Seventeen Facts About Women's Retirement Outlook
Select Findings from the 17th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey of Workers

Downloadable Materials:

Seventeen Facts Report 
Fact Sheet - Seventeen Facts About Women's Retirement Outlook... and Eight Steps to Improve It
Hoja de datos - diecisiete datos acerca del pronóstico de la jubilación de las mujeres... y ocho pasos para mejorarlos (Fact Sheet in Spanish)
Press Release - March 1, 2017

Infographics and Shareable Images:

64% of women don't have a retirement backup plan
10% of women are very confident about retirement
53% of women plan to retire after age 65 or not at all
75% of women who are offered a plan participate in it
Women's emergency savings is $2,000
Women's household retirement savings is $34,000
25% of women are aware of the Saver's Credit

Portrait of women with a retirement strategy - global research
Retirement confidence of women - global research
Women with a written retirement strategy - global research
Women who habitually save for retirement - global research

A Compendium of Findings About American Workers
17th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey (2016)

Downloadable Materials:

Report Excerpt on Influences of Gender on Retirement Readiness

Sixteen Facts About Women's Retirement Outlook
Select Findings from the 16th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey of Workers

Downloadable Materials:

Sixteen Facts Report 
Fact Sheet - Sixteen Facts About Women's Retirement Outlook... and Eight Steps to Improve It
Hoja de datos - Dieciséis datos acerca del pronóstico de la jubilación de las mujeres... y Ocho pasos para mejorarlo (Fact Sheet in Spanish)
Press Release - March 1, 2016

Infographics and Shareable Images:

51% of Women Plan to Work After They Retire
56% of Women Plan to Retire After Age 65 or Not at All
62% of Women are Offered a 401(k) or Similar Plan
12% of Women are Very Confident About Retirement
28% of Women Work Part-Time
Busy Women Fall Short in Their Retirement Preparations - global research
Women Who Always Save for Retirement - global research
Women Who Feel Future Generations of Retirees Will Be Worse Off - global research

Homemakers Are Not Off the Hook: How Should They Be Planning for Retirement?

TCRS, in conjunction with the Aegon Center for Longevity and Retirement, surveyed self-described homemakers around the globe about their retirement knowledge, expectations and preparedness. In the U.S. 81% of homemakers are women (86% are globally). Preparing for retirement is important for all people - those in the formal workforce as well as stay-at-home moms and dads and other homemakers. This report offers insights into this group and recommendation to help them prepare for retirement.

Downloadable Materials:

Full Report
Press Release September 3, 2015

A Compendium of Findings About American Workers
16th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey (2015)

Downloadable Materials:

Report Excerpt on Influences of Gender on Retirement Preparedness

Fifteen Facts About Women's Retirement Outlook - Select Findings from the 15th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey of Workers

Downloadable Materials:

Fifteen Facts Report 
Fact Sheet - Fifteen Facts About Women's Retirement Outlook... and Seven Steps to Improve It
Press Release - March 3, 2015
Global Awareness Sheet - "I Always Save for Retirement"
Global Awareness Sheet - "Future Generations of Retirees Will Be Worse Off"

The Changing Face of Retirement - Women: Balancing Family, Career & Financial Security

TCRS, in conjunction with Aegon, surveyed women around the globe and this report examines the retirement preparedness of women in the workforce in the U.S. and around the world. The research finds that today's women are well educated and enjoy broad career opportunities. However, we also find that a woman’s path to a financially secure retirement is challenging. The report provides recommendations for individuals, employers and policymakers to help women in their long-term retirement preparedness.

Downloadable Materials:

Full Report
Press Release November 20, 2014
Webinar Presentation November 20, 2014

Infographics:

Retirement Readiness Index for Women Globally
Retirement Aspirations of Women Globally
Retirement Confidence of Women Globally
Are Women Saving Enough for Retirement
Women globally expect to rely on spouse in retirement
Workplace Retirement Plans
Women Expect a Flexible Retirement

A Compendium of Findings About American Workers
15th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey 

Downloadable Materials:

Report Excerpt on Influences of Gender on Retirement Preparedness