Study: Many Older Women Struggle with Finances

Note to our I Start Wondering community: very little of the medical, financial, and sociological research discussed in our news media is focused on older women. To counteract that lack of attention on us, ISW is starting a new series—and eventually a new page—that shares important research specifically about women at midlife and beyond.

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Women between the ages of 50-64 are having more financial concerns than men of that age group in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings were part of an AARP study published in November 2021 that focused on the immediate-, mid-, and long-term financial concerns of Americans 50 years of age and above. The results include these negative circumstances:

• Nearly 40% of women expressed concerns about the economy’s effect on them.

• 67% of women said they were very or somewhat worried about increasing prices in relation to income.

• Almost 50% said they had taken unplanned negative action, including skipping medical care, prioritizing the health of a loved one over their own, and skipping/reducing prescription medication.

For the full results, please see the study here.