Retirement readiness in the United States shows consistent disparities across gender lines, with women and marginalized genders often reaching retirement age with significantly fewer financial resources than cisgender heterosexual men. These differences are influenced by a range of systemic factors, including lifetime earnings, unpaid caregiving roles, part-time or interrupted work histories, and unequal access to retirement planning tools and benefits.

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Note: While most available datasets track binary gender categories, this analysis acknowledges that nonbinary and trans individuals face unique retirement barriers — and that the limitations of available data do not reflect the full scope of gendered financial inequity.

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While a handful of firms have begun to offer more inclusive services, the majority of mainstream retirement tools and education still follow a one-size-fits-all model — often built on assumptions of uninterrupted, full-time employment and traditional household structures that don’t reflect the realities of many individuals’ lives. As a result, those most at risk of financial instability in retirement often have the least tailored support.

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This project aims to analyze publicly available data to better understand how and why these disparities arise. By identifying specific contributing factors and quantifying their impact, the goal is to generate evidence-informed insights that can support more inclusive and effective financial planning. This analysis does not assume conclusions; it is exploratory in nature and designed to surface actionable questions as much as answers.