The Significance of Gender for Latina/o Savings and Retirement

Interdisciplinary study of how and whether gender influences Latinos' savings for retirement. Third phrase of project examining the structural-economic factors limiting Latinos' eligibility to participate in pension savings programs and social and cultural reasons affecting participation (See La Tercera Edad: Latinos' Pensions, Retirement and Impact on Families (2008) and Confianza, Savings and Retirement: A Study of Mexican Immigrants in Chicago (2012). Analyzes data from U.S. Census, Survey of Income and Program Participation, Health and Retirement Survey and qualitative data from focus groups, observations and interviews in metropolitan Chicago. Report challenges financial myths about Latinos and Latinas, finds that gender is not a barrier to savings, Latinas are vigorously embracing opportunities to save through their employers, and reviews new state and federal savings programs, focusing on the myRA.