“On the eve of Equal Pay Day 2019, we must remember that gender pay equity is crucial not only for social justice, but for women’s retirement security.  When women earn less than men (currently, only 80 cents on the dollar), they cannot afford to save sufficient money for retirement – and their Social Security benefits are lower. Women take more time off work to care for family members, but don’t get credit for it in their Social Security earnings history.  On average, women outlive men by five years – forcing them to stretch their retirement dollars over a longer span of time.   That’s one reason why 11% of senior women live in poverty – an unacceptable number in the wealthiest country on earth. 

The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare fully endorses the Paycheck Fairness Act, introduced by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), which would go a long way toward eliminating gender pay inequality.  Among other things, it would put an end to pay secrecy, strengthen workers’ ability to challenge discrimination, and bring equal pay law into line with other civil rights laws. This landmark legislation aims to prevent wage discrimination from happening in the first place, which will help women and their families now – and in later life when too many women dangle on the precipice of poverty” – Max Richtman, President and CEO of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare

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Read the National Committee’s letter endorsing the Paycheck Fairness Act here.

Visit Eleanor’s Hope for more information about women and retirement.

The National Committee, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization acts in the interests of its membership through advocacy, education, services, grassroots efforts and the leadership of the Board of Directors and professional staff.  The work of the National Committee is directed toward developing better-informed citizens and voters.

Media Inquiries to:

Pamela Causey 202-216-8378/202-236-2123

Walter Gottlieb 202-216-8414