Social Security: Women, Children and the States

Social Security provides crucial protections for women and their children, not only in retirement, but throughout the lifespan. Women rely more on Social Security for their retirement income than do men. In addition, women are much more likely than men to receive Social Security benefits as family members when a worker dies, retires or becomes disabled. Social Security also supports states, both by serving as a source of personal income for a substantial number of state residents and by alleviating pressure on state budgets. Without the current level of Social Security spending, poverty among the elderly would rise, increasing demand for state services for the poor.