Why is my wife's state retirement pension much less than mine?

Your wife's state retirement pension may be less than yours due to a variety of factors, including differences in work history, contributions to the pension system, and the number of years she has worked. Women often have lower lifetime earnings due to factors such as part-time work or career interruptions. Additionally, pension calculation formulas can vary by state and may have different benefit structures based on gender or job classification. Lastly, if she had any lower-paying jobs or periods of unemployment, these could also impact her overall pension amount.