Women Get $5,256 Less a Year From Social Security: 7 Moves That Can Close the Gap

According to a FinanceBuzz analysis, women collect $1,760 per month on average compared with $2,198 for men. That $438 monthly difference, or $5,256 per year, might make it harder to cover housing, health care, and everyday expenses over a retirement that often lasts longer than men's.

The good news is that several strategies may help eligible women maximize their senior benefits.

Here are seven moves worth considering.

Why women receive smaller Social Security checks

Lower wages, fewer working years, and time away from the workforce are the reasons women receive smaller checks. Over a 40-year career, this creates an estimated $542,800 gap. In 2024, women working full-time earned 81 cents for every dollar earned by men, down from 84 cents in 2022.

Because Social Security benefits are based on lifetime earnings, those differences often follow women into retirement through permanently lower payments.

The earnings gap varies depending on where you live

The Social Security gender gap isn't the same nationwide. FinanceBuzz found Utah has the widest gap, with women receiving about 27% less than men on average. At the other end of the spectrum, Washington, D.C. has the narrowest gap at roughly 8%.

Differences in wages, workforce participation, and career patterns all influence how much retirees ultimately receive. Luckily, several strategies might help maximize the benefits you're entitled to receive.

Claim spousal benefits if you're eligible

A married woman who worked less than her spouse could claim a spousal benefit worth up to 50% of her spouse's full retirement age (FRA) benefit. If her own earned benefit is smaller, the SSA automatically pays the higher of the two. On a spouse's $2,400 monthly FRA benefit, that's up to $1,200 per month for the lower-earning partner.

Claim survivor benefits after a spouse's death

A surviving spouse may claim up to 100% of the deceased spouse's benefit, including any delayed retirement credits they earned by waiting past FRA. If a husband claimed at 70 and was receiving $2,800 per month, a surviving wife could inherit that full amount.

This makes the higher-earning spouse's claiming age one of the most consequential decisions a couple makes together, since it sets the survivor benefit ceiling permanently.

Delay claiming to capture delayed retirement credits

For every year you delay claiming after your FRA, up to age 70, your benefit increases by about 8%. A woman eligible for the average monthly benefit of $1,760 at full retirement age could receive about $2,182 by waiting until 70.

That's an extra $422 every month for life, and each future cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is applied to that higher benefit, increasing lifetime income even further.

Earn the 40 credits needed to qualify

Social Security benefits require 40 work credits, equal to about 10 years of covered employment. Women who spent years raising children or caring for family may fall short or have low-earning years that reduce benefits.

Returning to paid work, whether through consulting, tutoring, bookkeeping, or other freelance roles, helps earn missing credits or replace low-income years. Since the SSA recalculates benefits annually, even modest earnings may increase future monthly payments.

Maximize contributions during working years

In 2026, women aged 50 and older can contribute up to $32,500 annually to a 401(k) — the standard $24,500 limit plus an $8,000 catch-up — and up to $8,600 to an IRA, which includes the $1,100 catch-up.

Women aged 60 to 63 qualify for SECURE 2.0's super catch-up, raising the 401(k) total to $35,750 annually.

Use the earnings record of a divorced spouse

Women who were married for at least 10 years may qualify for divorced spousal benefits, even after the marriage ends. If eligible, you may receive up to 50% of your former spouse's benefit at their FRA, without reducing what they receive.

Both former spouses must be at least 62, and the claimant must be unmarried. For women with lower lifetime earnings, this benefit provides a meaningful boost to monthly income.

Coordinate Social Security with other retirement income

Social Security works best as part of a broader retirement income plan rather than the only source of income. Pension payments, retirement accounts, investment income, and personal savings provide flexibility when deciding the age at which to claim benefits.

Having additional income may allow eligible retirees to delay claiming and secure permanently larger monthly Social Security payments later.

The stakes are higher with the 2032 Trust Fund deadline

The Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund is projected to exhaust its reserves in 2032. Unless Congress acts, scheduled benefits could be cut by about 22%.

For a woman receiving the national average of $1,760 per month, that would reduce her benefit to $1,373. Preparing now by strengthening other retirement income sources provides greater flexibility if future reforms reduce scheduled benefits.

Bottom line

While women receive about $5,256 less in Social Security benefits each year than men, there are still meaningful ways to narrow that gap. Delaying benefits, qualifying for spousal or survivor benefits, and building retirement savings may increase lifetime income and strengthen financial security.

To grow your money more, use cash-back credit cards and other everyday savings tools to reduce expenses and supplement future Social Security income.

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