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Gender and the devolution of pension risks in the US

Publication ,  Journal Article
O'Rand, AM; Shuey, KM
Published in: Current Sociology
March 1, 2007

This article uses data from multiple waves of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to examine inequality in the accumulation of pension balances in private accounts for two cohorts of workers in the US. The new occupational pension environment is characterized by the rise of defined contribution plans and the devolution of risk and responsibility for retirement saving. While men and women in this environment face new pension risks, women continue to bear greater risks associated with lower workplace earnings and family position. Unmarried women consistently have the greatest risk of low pension balances in defined contribution plans (DC) and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Divorce, unstable employment histories and lower levels of education and income decrease pension savings. The authors conclude that although recent changes have increased women's access to occupational pensions, these changes have preserved, and perhaps increased, familiar disadvantages associated with gender, marital status and labor market position. © International Sociological Association SAGE.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Current Sociology

DOI

EISSN

1461-7064

ISSN

0011-3921

Publication Date

March 1, 2007

Volume

55

Issue

2

Start / End Page

287 / 304

Related Subject Headings

  • Sociology
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 4408 Political science
  • 1608 Sociology
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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O’Rand, A. M., & Shuey, K. M. (2007). Gender and the devolution of pension risks in the US. Current Sociology, 55(2), 287–304. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011392107073315
O’Rand, A. M., and K. M. Shuey. “Gender and the devolution of pension risks in the US.” Current Sociology 55, no. 2 (March 1, 2007): 287–304. https://doi.org/10.1177/0011392107073315.
O’Rand AM, Shuey KM. Gender and the devolution of pension risks in the US. Current Sociology. 2007 Mar 1;55(2):287–304.
O’Rand, A. M., and K. M. Shuey. “Gender and the devolution of pension risks in the US.” Current Sociology, vol. 55, no. 2, Mar. 2007, pp. 287–304. Scopus, doi:10.1177/0011392107073315.
O’Rand AM, Shuey KM. Gender and the devolution of pension risks in the US. Current Sociology. 2007 Mar 1;55(2):287–304.
Journal cover image

Published In

Current Sociology

DOI

EISSN

1461-7064

ISSN

0011-3921

Publication Date

March 1, 2007

Volume

55

Issue

2

Start / End Page

287 / 304

Related Subject Headings

  • Sociology
  • 4410 Sociology
  • 4408 Political science
  • 1608 Sociology