In practice, however, credits accrue to women to a much greater extent than men, given that women take on the larger share of caring work. Social pensions are particularly significant in countries where the coverage of contributory social insurance schemes is limited and the majority of the labour force is in informal employment. Because individuals with limited contributory records tend to be concentrated among low-income groups, non-contributory social pensions are essential for old-age poverty prevention. Older women have been at the forefront of these mobilizations.