Overcoming the Past: A Project for Improving the Economic Security of Older Women

Abstract

America’s older women are in economic crisis; over 60 percent of women age 65 or older have insufficient income to cover basic expenses. This paper explores the reasons for this dire situation and proposes a solution: the design of a pilot project to give older women in-demand job skills and to overcome age bias in the hiring process. It is shown that jobs are a preferable strategy to public subsidies for helping women achieve economic security.