Gender’s Effect on the Relationships Linking Older Americans’ Resources and Financial Satisfaction

This article tests the assumptions that the effect of resources on the financial satisfaction of older Americans is consistent (1) for different measures of income and wealth and (2) for men and women. Data are from a weighted subsample of those 65 and older from Waves I (1986) and II (1989) of the Americans’ Changing Lives Panel Study. Multivariate analyses contradict both assumptions with the following statistically significant findings: (1) Financial satisfaction in 1986 and not receiving food stamps are stronger predictors of financial satisfaction for men, whereas having interest and retirement/pension incomes are more important for women; and (2) a lowered number of chronic ailments is more important for women, whereas having a surviving spouse is more important for men. Findings support both George’s ideas of “control” and “illusion of control” and Moen’s ideas about gender-specific patterns of status transitions.