Gender differences in pension wealth: Estimates using provider data

Information from pension providers was examined to investigate gender diffe rences in pension wealth at midlife. For full-time wage and salary workers approaching retirement age who had pension coverage, median pension wealth on the current job was 76% greater for men than women. Differences in wages , years of job tenure, and industry between men and women accounted for mos t of the gender gap in pension wealth on the current job. Less than one thi rd of the wealth difference could not be explained by gender differences in education, demographics, or job characteristics. The less-advantaged emplo yment situation of working women currently in midlife carries over into wor se retirement income prospects. However, the gender gap in pensions is like ly to narrow in the future as married women's employment experiences increa singly resemble those of men.