New poll shows 50% of US women fear poverty

A new survey reveals that almost 50 percent of American women are afraid of the likelihood of becoming poor, despite having enormous financial achievements.

The poll conducted by Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America shows that 49 percent of respondents fear becoming a “bag lady.”

Meanwhile, fear of destitution was more profound among single women (56 percent), divorcees (54 percent) and widows (47 percent).

Forty-three percent of married women were also concerned about the likelihood of poverty.

This is while the survey shows that six in 10 American women describe themselves as the breadwinners in their households and 54 percent handle their families’ financial affairs.

Even 27 percent of the women whose annual income exceeds USD 200,000 expressed fear about becoming poor.

Nearly six million Americans are currently receiving jobless benefits. However, the actual figure would have been much higher if state authorities had not stopped extending benefit programs.

The US economy shrank by 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012, casting doubt on the strength of economic recovery in the country.