Katrin Laks: Raising children is one of the main reasons for the gender pension gap

SEB expert Katrin Laks explains that the gender pension gap between women and men does not emerge at retirement age, but throughout the entire working life. Lower salaries, career breaks related to child-rearing, and lower investment activity leave a lasting impact on women's pension income.

The pension difference between women and men is a topic often discussed only when the damage is already done. SEB private client insurance and pension solutions expert Katrin Laks points out that the roots of the gender pension gap extend back to a much earlier period in life than retirement age itself.

Salary and career breaks

Women's lower average salary compared to men means that less money flows into the pension fund for years before retirement age. This is compounded by career breaks related to raising children, during which pension contributions either decrease significantly or stop completely. The impact of these periods on pensions is much greater than many women probably realize.

Investment and awareness

According to Laks, another important factor is that women invest on average more conservatively than men. Smaller contributions to the third pillar and a generally more cautious approach to financial risks reduce the rate of pension savings accumulation over the years significantly. Therefore, simply raising awareness is not enough-concrete steps are needed to increase pension savings.

The expert emphasizes that the gender pension gap is not an inevitable fate, but preventing it requires conscious decisions from employers, the state, and women themselves. Early planning and regular reviews of pension savings can significantly change the outcome.