women were paid 60 percent, American Indian and Alaska Native women were paid 58 percent, and Hispanic and Latina women were paid only 54 percent. (B) The gender pay gap persists across educational levels. As a result, women who complete college degrees are less able to pay off their student loans promptly, leaving them paying more and for a longer time than men. In 2012, among students who graduated in 2007–2008, women working full time had paid off 33 percent of their student loan debt on average, while men working full time had paid off 44 percent of their debt. (C) In the United States, mothers are primary or sole breadwinners in nearly 40 percent of families. Yet the wage gap for mothers is larger than for women overall. According to 2013 data, mothers employed full time, year round are paid 71 cents for every dollar paid to fathers. It is worse for single mothers with full-time, year-round jobs, who are paid just 58 cents for every dollar paid to fathers. (D) A conservative estimate is that women employed in the United States lose a combined total of nearly $500 billion every year due to the wage gap. These women, their families, businesses and the economy suffer as a result. Lost wages mean families have less money to save for the future or to spend on basic goods and services—spending that helps drive the economy. (E) Statistical analysis shows that 62 percent of the wage gap can be attributed to occupational and industry differences