Women are more likely to run out of retirement savings and social security due to social norms that position them as primary carers, as well as their longer life expectancy, according to various studies compiled into a book.

The book Well-being and Policy – Evidence for Action explains that social norms requiring women to be primary carers early in life increase their risk of poverty later by intensifying the negative effects of retirement, such as a decline in well-being. 

According to the World Bank, women receive pensions that are between 25% and 30% lower than those of men. This pension gap is closely tied to the gender pay gap, the motherhood penalty, and the unequal distribution of care work.

The issue of the pension gap was also discussed last year during a conference by Prof. JosAnn Cutajar from the University of Malta’s Department of Gender and Sexualities. She highlighted research showing that women’s average working life spans 33 years, compared to 41 years for men. In the case of contributory retirement pensions – those based on years worked – this difference has a significant impact.

The gender gap in pensions in Malta is among the widest in Europe. According to a 2019 report by the European Institute for Gender Equality, the widest gender gaps in pensions were noted in the Netherlands and Malta (above 45 per cent) with the narrowest in Estonia.

41 authors in 18 countries

Edited by Marie Briguglio, Natalia V. Czap and Kate Laffan, the book brings together 41 authors from 18 countries who worked to synthesise recent developments in well-being science and policy. 

The book reviews the links between well-being and various domains, including income, work, health and empathy.

It finds that higher earnings contribute more to men’s well-being than women’s. However, women tend to value work flexibility, positive social interactions and the meaningfulness of their work more than men.

Employment experiences remain gendered. Women are more likely to work part-time, earn lower wages, and face career interruptions due to parenthood. 

Parenthood research shows that becoming a parent causes fluctuations in mental health for both men and women, but these fluctuations are more pronounced among women. Around 9% to 21% of women report a drop in mental well-being during the transition into parenthood, with declines increasing with the number of children. This is likely due to significant time pressures experienced by mothers, reflected in lower satisfaction with their free time.

Despite major shifts in women’s workforce participation, the book notes that gendered norms and traditional breadwinner ideologies persist. It emphasises the need for policies that support breaking down these norms, encourage women’s labour force participation, and recognise and address the gendered nature of caregiving.

Resilience lessons for the elderly 

In a chapter focused on ageing, the book recommends that services for the elderly incorporate positive psychology practices to help older adults build resilience. This is particularly important as later life often brings challenges such as health issues and bereavement, which can lead to depression. 

Resilience is identified as a key protective factor for well-being in older age, followed by perceived social support.

According to the United Nations, in Europe, by 2060, seniors are projected to make up 30% of the population. 2024 data based on estimates by the United Nations Population Unit revealed that one in three people in Malta in 2050 will be aged 65 or older.

The book highlights that strong social relationships, social capital and community support are positively linked to well-being in old age. On the other hand, loneliness and social isolation are significant risk factors. With retirement and weakened family ties contributing to social isolation, seniors need new opportunities for social engagement and connection.