This costs women hundreds of thousands over a career

The Financial Realities Women Still Face

What the numbers say—and why it matters for the people you care about

August 26 is Women’s Equality Day—the anniversary of the 19th Amendment, when women gained the right to vote. That was more than a century ago, and a lot has changed since then. But when it comes to the financial picture, some of the gaps are still wider than you might expect.

These aren’t abstract statistics. They show up in everyday life—in households, careers, caregiving responsibilities, and retirement plans. Understanding them is key to building a stronger financial future for yourself or someone you care about.

The Gender Pay Gap Still Exists

In 2024, women working full-time, year-round earned about 81 cents for every dollar earned by men. In fact, that gap widened for the second year in a row.

While the difference may seem small on a paycheck-by-paycheck basis, the long-term impact is significant. Over a lifetime, lower earnings can mean:

• Reduced retirement savings contributions
• Lower Social Security benefits
• Less investment growth over time

Even modest differences in income can compound into major financial gaps later in life.

A Longer Life Means a Longer Financial Runway

Here’s something that doesn’t get enough attention: women in the U.S. live an average of nearly five years longer than men. The most recent CDC data puts life expectancy at 81.4 years for women and 76.5 years for men. That’s a meaningful difference—not just in terms of health, but financially. More years mean more expenses, more health care costs, and a higher chance of managing those years on a single income.²

Caregiving Takes a Financial Toll, Too

Women are still far more likely to step away from work to care for a child or an aging parent. In 2025 alone, more than 455,000 women left the workforce, and among those who left voluntarily, 42% cited caregiving as the main reason. Each year out of the workforce is a year without employer retirement contributions, without salary growth, and without adding Social Security credits. Those gaps can follow someone well into retirement.³

Why I'm Bringing This Up

This isn’t about making a political statement. It’s about making sure the financial picture we’re looking at together is a complete one. A strategy that doesn’t account for a longer life expectancy, an earnings gap, or a potential career break may be missing something important.

When these elements are included in planning, it becomes easier to build strategies that are more resilient, flexible, and aligned with real-world needs. This is why I'm passionate about working with women to explore how we can best prepare your financial future.

These details are easy to overlook—but they make a meaningful difference over time. If you're interested in learning more or discussing your financial situation, I'd love to set up a complimentary consultation with you!

Happy (early) Women’s Equality Day—may we continue to mind & close the gap.

<sup>1. Census.gov, 2024
2. CDC.gov, 2026
3. Catalyst.org, January 2026</sup>