---
title: How Men and Women Are Different in Retirement
description: MassMutual's Elaine Sarsynski explains the gender differences before and during retirement.
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published: '2015-09-18T20:24:41.000Z'
modified: '2015-09-18T20:24:41.000Z'
section: Retirement
tags:
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![Screen Shot 2015-09-18 at 11.26.03 AM](https://img.money.com/2015/09/screen-shot-2015-09-18-at-11-26-03-am.png)

Men and women are different when it comes to retirement, says Elaine Sarsynski, head of retirement services at MassMutual. They're different before retirement, and they're different during retirement. Before they leave the workforce, women are more stressed about retiring than men are. They usually have lower balances in their retirement accounts, and on average they earn less than men do. Once their career is over, however, women typically enjoy retired life more than men do. Women, on average, do a better job of building and maintaining social relationships, along with enjoying various activities and interests.

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