
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 27, 1995                   TAG: 9504270066
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Cox News Service
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Medium

1 IN 4 OLDER WOMEN POOR, STUDY FINDS

One in four older women is poor or nearly poor, and flaws in the retirement system may lead young women to a similar fate, according to a study released Wednesday.

The study by the Older Women's League concluded that because of women's employment patterns, the traditional combination of pensions, savings and Social Security won't be enough to sustain them after they retire.

Although more women are going to work, women's Social Security benefits have decreased relative to men's. In 1970, a woman's average benefit was 78 percent of a man's, but by 1995 that had dropped to 76 percent.

Only 13 percent of women receive a private pension, compared to 33 percent of men, and the average amount of those pensions is only $3,940 a year for women, compared to $7,468 for men.

Many women find it difficult to save for their retirement because three in five work in jobs with low wages and limited benefits. Women also typically must take time off work to care for small children or disabled relatives. Savings also are hindered by the wage gap.

Delegates from the Older Women's League will attend the White House Conference on Aging next week to propose a series of reforms to address this problem.

OWL President Johnetta Marshall recommended that Congress:

Refrain from cutting or delaying cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits.

Not differentiate benefits based on income.

Give Social Security credit for time spent caring for small children or sick relatives.

by CNB