Women, Work, Aging and Financial Security

Older Women and Unpaid Caregiving: Eldercare, Grandmothers Raising Their Grandkids, and More

Living on Less: Variations in Income Levels and Income Sources for Older Adults

Older women are an essential element of both paid and unpaid caregiving infrastructure in the U.S.

• See how many grandmothers are raising their grandchildren, and how these numbers vary by state

This brief examines the income levels and sources for women aged 65 and older. It also considers differences by age, race/ethnicity and marital status, and discusses policy options for improving the retirement security of older women.

• Examine state-level differences in income sources in this data interactive

The Rise of Older Women Workers, 1980-2021

Women ages 55 and older now account for more than one-in-ten U.S. workers, thanks to dramatic changes in their labor force participation over the past 40 years.

• Learn more about the rise of older women workers nationally and at the state level with this data dashboard

Related from the Women’s Bureau

• Click on our Data and Statistics page to find age-specific analyses by sex, earnings, part-time employment and more

Other Resources

• Older Workers Study (DOL Chief Evaluation Office)
• Number of people 75 and older in the labor force is expected to grow 96.5 percent by 2030
• Age Discrimination (EEOC)
• Retirement Benefits (DOL Employee Benefits Security Administration)
• Senior Community Service Employment Program
• Selected Research & Analysis: Women (Social Security Administration)
• Women and retirement savings (DOL Employee Benefits Security Administration) (PDF)