Older women once trusted Social Security. Now they aren’t so sure.

October 28, 2025

AARP focus groups reveal a significant shift in older Americans' confidence about Social Security's future, with many women over 65 expressing unprecedented doubt about the program's reliability. Participants across both political parties reported anxiety about potential benefit cuts, with some claiming benefits earlier than planned despite receiving permanently reduced payments as a result. This represents a notable departure from historical polling showing older beneficiaries typically have the highest confidence in Social Security, though experts observe a broader seven-percentage-point decline in confidence over the past five years.

Who is affected

Older American women aged 50 and above, particularly those 65 and older
Current Social Security beneficiaries who are expressing new doubts about benefit stability
People who claimed Social Security benefits early (such as at age 62 instead of 67) and now receive 30% less in monthly payments for life
Women who earn less due to the pay gap (approximately 80 cents per dollar compared to men)
Women who stepped away from the workforce for caregiving responsibilities
Americans across all age groups showing declining confidence (particularly younger cohorts aged 18-34)
The Social Security Administration experiencing chaos from recent government changes

What action is being taken

AARP is conducting ongoing focus group research into the priorities and concerns of women 50 and older
Some older women are claiming Social Security benefits earlier than originally planned (like Claudia C., who took benefits before age 70)
Older Americans are reducing discretionary spending on items like vacations due to economic uncertainty
AARP is conducting polling on confidence in Social Security, including recent polling marking the program's 90th anniversary

Why it matters

This matters because it represents a fundamental shift in how even current beneficiaries view Social Security, a program that has historically been one of the most stable and trusted elements of American politics. The declining confidence is particularly significant for older women, who already face greater financial vulnerability due to lower lifetime earnings from the gender pay gap and career interruptions for caregiving. When people claim benefits early out of fear, they lock in permanently reduced payments (30% less if claiming at 62 versus 67), which exacerbates financial insecurity throughout retirement. This erosion of trust reflects broader institutional confidence decline and could have long-term implications for retirement security, especially as rising costs and inflation make Social Security benefits stretch less far for those who depend on them most heavily.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

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