How Public Policy Increases the Vulnerability of Older Widows

The American retirement system has dramatically improved economic well-being over the last two decades. The once-perilous transition from work to retirement is no longer so, and this economic security continues long after retirement for most married couples But the transition from spouse to survivor remains economically perilous, especially for women. Ironically, current Social Security rules provide unequal benefits within families, and the fact that more women now work in the marketplace may make this problem worse in the future.