A benefit of one's own: Older women's entitlement to Social Security retirement

Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and linked administra tive I cords, we explore differences in old-age benefits between men and wo men attributable to differences in length of work life and pay. We find tha t most women are fully insured for Social Security purposes, but those who are not would have to work substantially more to become eligible. Among tho se who are eligible, additional work would translate into only slightly hig her benefits.