WASHINGTON, D.C. – Marking tomorrow’s four-year anniversary of the enactment of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Vice Chairman designate of the  U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, today released a fact sheet on the gender pay gap that continues to affect women across America. 

“There is no justification for paying women less for the same work as their male counterparts,” said Vice Chairman designate Casey. “Not only does this disparity burden women and their families during their working years, but it also jeopardizes retirement and financial security for women later in life and has significant consequences for the overall economy.”

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act makes it easier for women to challenge wage discrimination. Women earn lower wages than men across all races and levels of education, a gap that begins at the start of a woman’s career and has negative consequences into retirement.

The fact sheet released today finds that women with bachelor’s degrees can face a lifetime earnings gap of over $500,000 compared to men.

Other highlights include:

•             The gender pay gap increases the student debt loan burden for women early in their careers.

•             Lower earnings over their careers jeopardize women’s retirement security.

•             The gender pay gap exists in every state and the District of Columbia.

The full fact sheet is available here.

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