Social Security is "Extremely Important" to Minnesota Women
There is nothing more important to our members than Social Security, with 65 million Americans who rely on it. In Minnesota, over 1,082,512 retirees, people with disabilities and their families rely on Social Security for important benefits. This includes around 873,925 Minnesotans over the age of 65. An AARP 2021 survey found that 82% of AARP Members in Minnesota are “Extremely” or “Very Concerned” about Social Security.
For women, it's vital. AARP Minnesota created a report using data from AARP's Public Policy Institute and the Vital Voices survey about Minnesota women 65+, and how they feel about Social Security as a financial and voting issue.
Despite starting my encore career, I find myself troubled by the idea of my future retirement. Even after years of hard work and doing the 'right' things to prepare, I worry that my efforts might not be enough. The uncertainty about the future of Social Security only adds to my concerns. The potential for tough decisions, like delaying full retirement or cutting back on essential healthcare, seems very real. As a 'Solo Senior' who, after years of hard work and doing all the "right" things to plan for retirement, I grapple with the fear it might not be enough. With no one else to rely on, aging is scary. The prospect of Social Security funding being compromised adds another layer of anxiety.
The analysis found women rely more on Social Security than men. Of all Minnesota adults 65 and older receiving monthly Social Security benefits, 55% were women and 45% were men. For Minnesotans 65+ who depend on Social Security for income, 47% of women and 35.8% of men rely on Social Security for 50% of their income, and 20.1% of women and 13.2% of men rely on Social Security for 90% of their income.
Women also have fewer sources of income compared to men as they head into retirement. These include Social Security; 401(k)s, IRAs or other accounts; pensions; stocks or mutual funds; and savings accounts and CDs. Additionally, women receive smaller Social Security and pension benefits and make up the majority (95%) of survivor benefits recipients. The average Social Security benefit received by retired women 65+ was $18,049 compared to $22,339 for retired men 65+. Women generally receive lower pension benefits due to their relatively lower earnings and because a higher share (64%) of part-time workers are women.
AARP Minnesota's Vital Voices 2022 study looked at the issues that impact Minnesota adults aged 45 and older. The study found that "Having adequate Social Security benefits available to you in the future" ranked as the top financial security issue for all Minnesotans, with 89% responding as "Extremely" or "Very" important. For Minnesota women, 63% ranked this issue as "Extremely Important" to them compared to 49% of Minnesota men. In total, 93% of women surveyed ranked this issue as either "Extremely" or "Very" important, compared to 85% men.
As a voting issue, similar trends arise. An AARP national battleground survey of voters 50+ showed women were more likely than men to rank Social Security as an "Extremely" or "Very" important voting issue. For women, 52% ranked this issue "Extremely Important" to their vote compared to 41% of men. In total, 85% of women surveyed ranked Social Security as either "Extremely" or "Very" important in their voting decisions, compared to only 76% of men.
The Social Security Administration found that women rely on Social Security more because they tend to live longer in retirement and have a greater chance of exhausting other sources of income. Social Security is a guaranteed benefit that plays a critical role in the daily lives of Minnesota women. It's the only source of income that does not fluctuate with the financial markets or employer policies. This reliability helps Minnesotans plan and hopefully provide peace of mind.
Every day, AARP members remind us that they rely on Social Security benefits that they earned. AARP will continue to fight to keep Social Security strong for retirees, workers, and future generations.
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