The impacts of menopause

Following her recent presentation at the ASFA Conference, Lina Saliba, MetLife Australia’s Chief Customer & Marketing Officer, shared the results of our latest study on the impact of menopause and its negative effects on women’s* careers and their financial security in retirement.

The research, one of the most extensive menopause studies undertaken by a life insurer in Australia, sheds light on the real, often overlooked challenges individuals face during this stage of life, which can have significant effects on their health, performance, and career progression.

The findings underscore the importance of building awareness around this topic, across all levels in the workplace. Creating an environment where employees feel supported and understood during this transitional phase can help ensure that menopause does not derail careers or hinder professional growth or see organisations losing top talent.

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the findings of this study and explore how businesses can take actionable steps to support women during this time, ultimately leading to a more productive and inclusive workplace for all.

Career Disruptions

MetLife’s Study on the Impacts of Menopause uncovered the stark impact menopause has on professional lives. One in three women reported that menopause has negatively affected their career, employment, and earning capacity. For those experiencing severe symptoms, the impact is even greater, with one in two women reporting career setbacks.

Many women are forced to make career adjustments due to menopause symptoms, such as brain fog, fatigue, and emotional distress. Our research showed that nearly a third of women (32%) altered their careers to some extent due to menopause including reducing their working hours, stepping down from leadership roles and even delaying their own career progression.  Alarmingly, 14% of women left the workforce altogether, with some women retiring earlier than planned due to the debilitating effects of menopause.

Financial Strain

The career impacts are often leading to financial strain. Among women that were negatively impacted in their careers due to menopause, 8 in 10 believe that their current financial position has been impacted as a result. 1 in 3 women experiencing menopause say that their current spending habits have been impacted and have reduced spending across a variety of areas, including 70% reducing spending on social activities to manage costs. Close to 6 in 10 (57%) women experiencing menopause are not confident they will be financially prepared for retirement to live the lifestyle that they want, 4 in 10 women say that the impact of menopause means they will retire with less superannuation, with women having to reduce contributions and, in some cases, withdrawing super to cover medical costs. On average, menopause results in an estimated $40,000** reduction in superannuation savings by retirement.

This financial strain can be further compounded, especially if their symptoms have negatively affected their careers. Among women impacted in their career, 76% of women anticipate having to delay retirement to rebuild their savings. Severe symptoms can also exacerbate concerns around retirement; 77% fear they won’t have enough superannuation to live comfortably in retirement.

Workplace Challenges

The workplace remains a challenging environment for some women navigating menopause. Our research suggests that close to half (47%) of women experiencing menopause believe that women are masking symptoms at work. Many women voiced that there is still a stigma around menopause, and 1 in 3 report that their symptoms are ignored or dismissed by colleagues or managers. A large proportion of women are feeling less confident, less productive and less valued due to symptoms, symptoms often come unexpectedly and strike women when they are at the peak of their careers. Employers can play a role to better support their employees and current support appears to be lacking with 59% of women believing that employers should play a greater role in supporting employees experiencing menopause.  Currently, only 20% of women rated their employer’s menopause support positively, there is a real opportunity here for improvement and ensure women can stay connected to work.

Recommendations for Employers

Lina Saliba, MetLife Australia’s Chief Customer & Marketing Officer, highlighted during the ASFA panel “Menopause penalty on retirement savings” that menopause is not just a personal issue—it’s a workplace and societal issue that requires urgent attention. Employers have an opportunity to support employees by taking action in several key areas:

• Start the Conversation: Foster open dialogue about menopause to reduce stigma and create a supportive environment.
• Provide Flexibility: Offer benefits such as additional leave, flexible work arrangements, and health resources without requiring disclosure of menopause symptoms.
• Develop a Menopause Policy: Establish a formal policy and toolkits to educate employees and managers about menopause and its impact.

MetLife’s Commitment

MetLife is taking action through the expansion of our award-winning 360Health program. We’ve launched a pilot initiative offering personalised support for women experiencing menopause. This includes one-on-one consultations with registered nurses who provide advice on symptom management and accessing appropriate medical care. The program complements our existing 360Health services, such as nutrition consultations and mental health support, all available at no additional cost to customers and their families.

Lina reinforced the importance of these initiatives, stating, “Early retirement should be a happy lifestyle choice—not a last resort to cope with menopause symptoms.”

A Call for Change

The research clearly shows that menopause is a major life event impacting many women in the workplace. However, it remains a largely unspoken and misunderstood topic.

At the ASFA Conference, Lina urged employers to recognise that this issue affects careers, families, and society. She emphasised the importance of opening up the conversation about menopause, creating more awareness and engagement, and taking meaningful action to ensure women feel connected to workplaces that are inclusive, supportive and empathetic.

To learn more about our findings and what employers and organisations can do, download MetLife Australia’s Study on the Impacts of Menopause. Together, let’s create workplaces where women can thrive at every stage of their lives. Take action. Make a real difference today.

Note

* Menopause may affect those who are transgender, non-binary or intersex. The term “women” when used in this article is inclusive of all individuals.

** self-reported and aggregated data

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