Women are saving less for retirement than men — and the gap could impact their future. A new Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies survey found that the median total savings women have in household retirement accounts is $56,000 — almost half of men’s $92,000. But the median savings vary widely by age.
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Here’s how much women in each generation have saved and what you can do to boost your nest egg.
The median household retirement savings for baby boomer women workers (ages 61 to 79) is $165,000.
“That’s a nest egg, but you really want to preserve it,” said Catherine Collinson, CEO of the Transamerica Institute.
One way to do so is to maximize your Social Security benefits so you won’t run down your savings as quickly in retirement.
“Understanding your Social Security benefits is critically important,” Collinson said. “Our survey finds that many people are claiming Social Security at age 62, the youngest age at which you can receive benefits, and it’s at a substantial reduction in your monthly check. If you can find ways to keep working and stretch out when you’ll claim those benefits, that can be really helpful.”
If you can wait until your full retirement age, which is around 67 for most people, or all the way until age 70, there’s a real upside, as you’ll receive a larger monthly benefit.
It’s also a good idea to revisit your whole financial picture.
“Know exactly where you stand financially, and if you do have any big shortfalls or big risks, understand what they are and what you can do about them,” Collinson said. “It is everything from reducing living expenses to researching affordable housing — leave no stone unturned.”
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Even though many Gen X women are on the cusp of retirement — they’re ages 45 to 60 in 2025 — the median household retirement savings for women of this generation is only $77,000.
“I lose sleep over Generation X,” Collinson said. “The oldest Gen Xers started turning 60 this year, so retirement is the light on the horizon. They’re at a high risk of not being on track.”
She recommended that women of this generation get proactive about protecting their employability by keeping their job skills up to date, continuing to network and taking advantage of professional development programs that may be available to them. The more money you are able to earn during this time, the more you can stash away for retirement.
