Universal or pension-tested benefits bolster women's economic autonomy, strengthening their voice and agency within households and raising their social status.126 In contrast, means-tested pensions often require that households—rather than individuals—have no other income source. This means that they exclude women who live in households above the income threshold even if they have no access to personal income. This assumes that income from cohabiting spouses or other family members will be shared fairly, which is not always the case.