Women face significant financial challenges due to caregiving responsibilities, according to research from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies and Guardian. Transamerica's survey finds women have $56,000 in median retirement savings, compared with $92,000 for men, while 43% of women have been caregivers. Guardian's survey shows women are five times more likely than men to leave the workforce because of caregiving, with 44% of women considering reduced hours.

As Americans plan for the year ahead, it is worth knowing about several important Social Security updates that will take effect in January 2026.
These changes will influence monthly benefits, payroll taxes, and how much income retirees can earn without reducing their payments.