Smart Retirement Planning Takes More than Saying I Do
Couples need healthy communication to be on the same page, and women have a vital role to play in the process.


When couples plan their retirement, they should take into account a simple fact of life: On average, women live longer than men. A woman who reaches 50 is likely to live to 83, while a man who reaches 50 is likely to live only to 79. A healthy 65-year-old woman will live, on average, to age 85, while the typical 65-year-old man will live, on average, to 82. This basic principle is important when it comes to retirement planning.
Gregory Ricks is the founder and CEO of Gregory Ricks & Associates, a Registered Investment Advisory Firm, as well as an insurance professional and radio host of "Winning at Life." He is also the founder of Total Wealth Authority, a team of outside financial, tax and estate planning professionals.
Kevin Derby contributed to this piece.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Gregory Ricks, is the founder and CEO of Gregory Ricks & Associates and is a licensed insurance professional. He is also the founder of Total Wealth Authority, a team of outside financial, tax and estate planning professionals, and is the host of radio show Winning at Life on News Talk 99.5 WRNO (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weeknights).
-
Stock Market Today: Have We Seen the Bottom for Stocks?
Solid first-quarter earnings suggest fundamentals remain solid, and recent price action is encouraging too.
By David Dittman
-
Is the GOP Secretly Planning to Raise Taxes on the Rich?
Tax Reform As high-stakes tax reform talks resume on Capitol Hill, questions are swirling about what Republicans and President Trump will do.
By Kelley R. Taylor
-
Social Security Is Taxable, But There Are Workarounds
If you're strategic about your retirement account withdrawals, you can potentially minimize the taxes you'll pay on your Social Security benefits.
By Todd Talbot, CFP®, NSSA, CTS™
-
Serious Medical Diagnosis? Four Financial Steps to Take
A serious medical diagnosis calls for updates of your financial, health care and estate plans as well as open conversations with those who'll fulfill your wishes.
By Thomas C. West, CLU®, ChFC®, AIF®
-
To Stay on Track for Retirement, Consider Doing This
Writing down your retirement and income plan in an investment policy statement can help you resist letting a bear market upend your retirement.
By Matt Green, Investment Adviser Representative
-
How to Make Changing Interest Rates Work for Your Retirement
Higher (or lower) rates can be painful in some ways and helpful in others. The key is being prepared to take advantage of the situation.
By Phil Cooper
-
Within Five Years of Retirement? Five Things to Do Now
If you're retiring in the next five years, your to-do list should contain some financial planning and, according to current retirees, a few life goals, too.
By Evan T. Beach, CFP®, AWMA®
-
The Home Stretch: Seven Essential Steps for Pre-Retirees
The decade before retirement is the home stretch in the race to quit work — but there are crucial financial decisions to make before you reach the finish line.
By Mike Dullaghan, AIF®
-
Three Options for Retirees With Concentrated Stock Positions
If a significant chunk of your portfolio is tied up in a single stock, you'll need to make sure it won't disrupt your retirement and legacy goals. Here's how.
By Evan T. Beach, CFP®, AWMA®
-
Four Reasons It May Be Time to Shop for New Insurance
You may be unhappy with your insurance for any number of reasons, so once you've decided to shop, what is appropriate (or inappropriate) timing?
By Karl Susman, CPCU, LUTCF, CIC, CSFP, CFS, CPIA, AAI-M, PLCS