Widows Well - Statistics

Some Statistics About Widowhood

As a widow you are not alone but part of a large sisterhood of women.

  • Every year more than 700,000 women find themselves widowed in the United States.

  • When a woman is widowed, on average, she loses 75% of her support base.

  • The average widow will be on her own for fourteen years.

  • The poverty rate for widows is much higher than for married women. In fact, 13.4% of widows at age 65 who received Social Security Survivor’s Benefits were below the poverty line in 2008.*

  • By age the age of 65, 45% of women widowed.

  • Life insurance can help provide for widow’s needs. Only about 62% of couples have life insurance.

  • Financial management is important for everyone. About 70% of couples with children have trouble paying their bills now.

Helpful Hint
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For more statistics, look at these websites.

Hope for Widows

Social Security Administration