Longer life spans mean more years relying on social security retirement income. Further, women have different labor force participation patterns than men. Women are more likely to take an average of 11.5 years away from the workforce to care for their families. While working, women earn less pay than men and often face wage discrimination. Women are more likely to work part time than men.
Men are more likely to receive pensions.
Retirees, especially women, use this form use this form of income as a cushion against poverty. Without Social Security, older women would be twice as likely to live in poverty compared to older men. Even with social security, older women are twice as likely as men to live in poverty.