What do women have to know when planning Social Security benefits?

On average, women live longer than men. Statistics report that the lifespan of females past retirement age is 21 years. Males, on the other hand, can expect to live about 19 years. While the difference seems insignificant, this additional time on a limited income becomes crucial for women to consider.

Fifty-five percent of people receiving Social Security (SS) benefits are women. The rise in the number of females in the workforce suggests that this percentage will continue to increase. According to the AARP, 50 percent of unmarried women count on SS benefits as 90 percent or more of their income.

For these reasons, looking at women and Social Security benefits proves important.

SS Benefits for Women

SS benefits for women arise from two sources. One, non-working women take advantage of their spouses