Emerging From the COVID-19 Pandemic: Women's Health, Money, and Retirement Preparations

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.

Downloadable Materials:

Emerging From the COVID-19 Pandemic: Women's Health, Money, and Retirement Preparations - Report 
Emerging From the COVID-19 Pandemic: Women's Health, Money, and Retirement Preparations - Press Release -- November 17, 2022
Emerging From the COVID-19 Pandemic: Women's Health, Money, and Retirement Preparations - Fact Sheet

Five Fundamentals for Women's Retirement Readiness

In celebration of International Women's Day and Women's History Month, TCRS is 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:

Downloadable Materials:

Start Saving Early and Habitually - Infographic
Create a Written Retirement Strategy - Infographic
Have a Backup Plan for Unforeseen Events - Infographic 
Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle - Infographic
Embrace Lifelong Learning - Infographic
Break the Bias in the Gender Retirement Gap - Podcast Episode

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

This report is the 16th consecutive year that TCRS has published research on women and retirement. It examines the pandemic's impact on women's health, financial well-being, and retirement preparations. It also offers recommendations for women, including employers and policymakers to improve their retirement outlook.

Downloadable Materials:

Life in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Women's Health, Finances, and Retirement - Report 
Life in the COVID-19 Pandemic: Women's Health, Finances, and Retirement - Press Release -- October 29, 2021
21 Facts About Women’s Retirement Outlook and 11 Steps to Improve It - Fact Sheet

10 Ideas to Improve the Retirement Outlook for Women

by Catherine Collinson  | International Foundation's Benefits Magazine | September 2021

Despite the tremendous progress in gender equality in recent decades, women continue to be at greater risk of not achieving a financially secure retirement than men. Women have saved $28,000 in all household retirement accounts, which is less than half of the $69,000 reported by men (estimated medians), according to TCRS' Retirement Security: A Compendium of Findings About U.S. Workers. This is the current state of the gender gap in retirement savings. Catherine Collinson shares 10 ideas to enhance workplace benefits and business practices to help close that gap and improve women’s retirement outlook.

Downloadable Materials:

10 Ideas to Improve the Retirement Outlook for Women - Bylined Article 

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

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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: 

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. 

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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)

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

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

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

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Infographics and Shareable Images:

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

Downloadable Materials:

Infographics and Shareable Images:

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

Downloadable Materials:

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

Downloadable Materials:

Infographics and Shareable Images:

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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

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

Downloadable Materials:

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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"

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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

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

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