Social Security Column
Why Social Security Is Important to Women
By Erin Thompson, Social
Security Public Affairs Specialist in Toledo, OH
Guest Column
Social Security plays an especially important role in
providing economic security for women. In the 21st century,
more women work, pay Social Security taxes, and earn credit
toward monthly retirement income than at any other time in
our nation’s history. But, women face greater economic
challenges in retirement. Women:
o
Tend to live longer than men. A woman who is 65 years old
today can expect to live, on average, until about 87, while
a 65-year-old man can expect to live, on average, until
about 84;
o
Often have lower lifetime earnings than men; and
o
May reach retirement with smaller pensions and other assets
than men.
Social Security offers a basic level of protection to all
women. When you work, you pay taxes into the Social Security
system, providing for your own benefits. In addition, your
spouse’s earnings can give you Social Security coverage as
well. Women who don’t work are often covered through their
spouses’ work. When their spouses retire, become disabled,
or die, women can receive benefits.
If you’re a worker age 18 or older, you can get a Social
Security Statement online. Your Statement is a
valuable tool to help you plan a secure financial future,
and we recommend that you look at it each year. Your
Statement provides a record of your earnings. To create
an account online and review your Statement, visit
our website at
www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
If your spouse dies, you can get widow’s benefits if you’re
age 60 or older. If you have a disability, you can get
widow’s benefits as early as age 50. Your benefit amount
will depend on your age and on the amount your deceased
spouse was entitled to at the time of death. If your spouse
was receiving reduced benefits, your survivor benefit will
be based on that amount. You may be eligible for widow’s
benefits and Medicare before age 65 if you have a disability
and are entitled to benefits. You also may be eligible for
benefits if you are caring for a child who is younger than
16. Our “People Like Me” website for women has valuable
resources for people of all ages. You can access it at
www.socialsecurity.gov/people/women.To read more about
how we can help you, read and share the publication What
Every Woman Should Know at
www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10127.pdf.
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