Document 14: Iowa Women's Equality Campaign, "Cheating older women out of their pensions is a crime. In Iowa it's legal," 1992. Folder: ERA Brochures, etc., Box 1, Iowa Women's Equality Campaign Collection, Iowa Women's Archives, University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, Iowa.

Document 14: Iowa Women's Equality Campaign, "Cheating older women out of their pensions is a crime. In Iowa it's legal," 1992. Folder: ERA Brochures, etc., Box 1, Iowa Women's Equality Campaign Collection, Iowa Women's Archives, University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, Iowa.

Introduction

       Rather than responding to critics' charges, this brochure, produced and distributed by the Iowa Women’s Equality Campaign in 1992, focuses on the economic gains supporters predicted would result from passage of the ERA. Similar to Document 13 this brochure uses the text of the amendment; however, unlike document 13 it uses the amendment text to address the inequalities of retirement pensions for women to appeal to working women and retiree's. They also address some of the legal inequalities referred to in other brochures. This brochure avoids any reference to the opposition and instead addresses the benefits of passage of the amendment.

Cheating older women out of their pensions is a crime. In Iowa, it's legal. Studies show retired women in Iowa are cheated out of $1.8 million per year in income on annuities due to gender discrimination. Older women are overcharged $1.7 million per year in discriminatory life insurance costs. Full-time women workers between the ages of 45 and 54 earn only 54 cents for every dollar padi to men.* If you're over 65, you're twice as likely to live in poverty if you're a woman. *according to US Current Population Surveys. You shouldn't be cheated out of your golden years just because you're a woman. Amendment helps older women by ensuring equal rights for men and women. Equality pays Vote Yes on Equality Vote Yes on Amendment November 3 See other side for complete text of Amendment

Add women to the Iowa Constitution. Amendment adds the underlined words to Section #1 of Article #1 of the Iowa State Constitution: Rights of Persons. All men and women are by nature, free and equal, and have certain inalienable rights-among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness. Neither the State nor any of its political subdivisions, shall on the basis of gender, deny or restrict the equality of rights under the law. Complete text   Vote Yes on Equality Vote Yes on Amendment   Paid for by Iowa Women's Equality Campaign. 313 E. 5th St., Des Moines, IA 50309 515/244-4349 Fax 515/244-9261 For more information please contact the above address or phone number.