This Memorial Day, Let's Remember That Social Security is Essential for Women Veterans

Just in time for Memorial Day, the release of a new report — Social Security: Serving Those Who Serve Our Nation — underscores how Social Security provides essential support for our retired and disabled veterans and their families. The report is a collaboration between Social Security Works, the Strengthen Social Security Campaign, and leading veterans' organizations.

As Serving Those Who Serve explains, Social Security is a vital benefit for veterans, especially those who transition into civilian careers and don't receive military retirement. About 40 percent of all veterans (over 9 million total) receive benefits today — and many more will receive benefits in the future, upon retirement or due to a disability.

Of particular interest to advocates for women is the report's focus on women veterans and Social Security. Women's participation in the military continues to grow, and today there are over 200,000 women in active duty — that's 14.3 percent of the entire active duty force. Women now make up 8 percent of veterans, a figure that will increase to 15 percent by 2035.

Retired Brigadier General Pat Foote — a pathbreaker for women in the military — emphasizes why Social Security is particularly important for women veterans:

"When you add the challenges facing women veterans in particular (like lower employment rates than male veterans) to those disproportionately facing American women in general (like primary responsibilities for child rearing), women veterans are a group at risk, now and in old age."

That is, because of the considerable challenges for women veterans transitioning from military service to civilian careers, women veterans face difficulties in building sufficient retirement resources to supplement Social Security. With less to draw on in retirement, Social Security benefits are essential for women veterans.

For women in the military and women in general, Social Security is a vital income support in retirement, as we explain in our fact sheet, Women and Social Security: Key Facts. For example, Social Security lifted 11.4 million women out of poverty in 2009. And for many women, Social Security is virtually their only source of income — this is true of 29 percent of women beneficiaries 65 and older.

This Memorial Day, when paying tribute to those who served, let’s not forget the importance of Social Security for millions of veterans — and especially for the ever-growing numbers of women veterans.