How Women Can Boost Their Retirement Savings
The retirement savings deck is stacked against women in a few ways, but there are ways to help improve your odds of a long and successful retirement.
![A frustrated woman with a jar of savings.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/idLzqrvVWXXr5qATxUrVth-415-80.jpg)
It is no secret that saving for retirement is important, yet many women face challenges in building their retirement portfolios. Women save less than men, and they have fewer working years. These are factors that have made planning and saving for retirement a serious challenge for a lot of women.
Why Do Women Have Less Retirement Savings Than Men?
Different financial needs coupled with other family responsibilities make it difficult for women to save adequately for retirement. Often, women spend a lot more money on their families, children and other miscellaneous expenses compared with men.
Saving for retirement is not a top priority for some women who must pay off debt and cater to their daily living costs. For many, thinking about day-to-day, immediate financial needs comes first rather than long-term goals.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-320-80.png)
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.
In addition, men are paid 18% more than what women are paid. This affects how much money women can put aside as savings. Given that women have a higher life expectancy than men, women must stretch their savings. Women are usually more conservative with money than men, however, this often serves as a disadvantage as women are less likely to invest in the stock market.
How Women Can Recover Their Retirement Savings
Here are practical tips that can help women bridge the gender gap and recover their retirement savings.
First, women need to assess their financial situation to get a clear picture of how they use their money. To start saving, they need to analyze their income and spending. Then, they can adjust their spending habits to save more efficiently.
Secondly, prioritizing savings contributions will go a long way in recovering retirement savings. Women need to change their attitude when it comes to money and start saving for themselves. It is important to invest in things that help support and secure their future.
To succeed, women should set aside funds for their savings first before spending. As they budget, they should treat retirement savings as an urgent bill that needs to be paid.
If you are formally employed, your workplace retirement plan may be an excellent place to begin investing as it offers numerous perks. Your employer-sponsored 401(k) allows you to easily divert a portion of your salary into long-term investments and build your retirement portfolio efficiently.
The Importance of Educating Yourself
It is also integral that women educate themselves on retirement funds. They will save more confidently if they understand what they are saving for and why. Being knowledgeable about this venture will help women make well-informed decisions regarding their retirement savings plans.
As women learn, they can also seek advice from retirement savings experts, particularly financial advisers. A financial adviser can help women get individualized support tailored to their situation and goals, which may be more beneficial than trying to learn everything on their own. The right adviser can serve as a trusted partner throughout a woman’s financial journey and can provide support and guidance to invest wisely and grow wealth.
Talking to your colleagues about retirement planning is also beneficial. Female friends who are already retired can offer a treasure trove of wisdom and can share their experience on how planning for retirement has worked for them. Through sharing their experience, pre-retiree women can learn from their friends’ examples.
Consider Rebalancing Your Portfolio
Lastly, portfolio rebalancing/reallocation may have a positive impact on your retirement savings plan, and variation can help minimize risk. If you are in your 20s or early 30s, you should diversify your portfolio among several stock styles and sizes. You may consider large-, mid- and even small-cap stocks to round out your diversification.
As you approach retirement age, you may want to move your portfolio to a less aggressive mix. These less aggressive investment mixes are ideal for those close to retirement because they pose less threat to their already developed retirement portfolio, which needs to shift its focus to preservation of capital and moderate growth as one nears retirement. Working with a financial adviser can better prepare women to manage their portfolios and make the right choices for them.
Women need to take an active role in saving for retirement, start prioritizing saving early on, and focus on growth-oriented investments. Even small contributions over time will go a long way in providing funds for retirement. Financial advisers can provide the consultation, guidance and support to meet women’s needs. With the right financial education and the support of experts, women can bolster their retirement savings and build a secure future.
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.
Renée Pastor is Founder & Wealth Manager at The Pastor Financial Group, a comprehensive financial planning and wealth management practice headquartered in New Orleans. The firm specializes in retirement planning and 401(k) management for families and individuals nationwide. To learn more, please visit thepastorgroup.com.
-
Visa Is the Worst Dow Stock Wednesday. Here's Why
Visa stock is down sharply Wednesday after the credit card company came up short of revenue expectations for its fiscal Q3.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Another Analyst Moves to the Sidelines on Tesla Stock After Earnings
Tesla stock is spiraling Wednesday after the EV maker's big earnings miss and Wall Street has been quick to weigh in. Here's what you need to know.
By Joey Solitro Published
-
Confused by Annuities? Making Sense of the Different Types
Many investors aren't sure if annuities are a good option for meeting financial goals. Let's look at the different categories, along with their pros and cons.
By Kris Maksimovich, AIF®, CRPC®, CPFA®, CRC® Published
-
Talkin' 'Bout My Generational Wealth: Baby Boomers
With retirement, each generation has different priorities and challenges. For Baby Boomers, it's a matter of ready or not, here it comes.
By Alvina Lo Published
-
How to Avoid a Big Hassle if Your Financed Car Gets Wrecked
How an insurance check is made out for repairs can cause a world of problems if the lienholder is left out.
By H. Dennis Beaver, Esq. Published
-
Estate Planning Strategies to Consider as Election Nears
Are big changes in tax laws coming soon? Not likely, but you might want to take advantage of higher estate and gift tax exemptions well before the end of 2025.
By David Handler, J.D. Published
-
How to Get Your Money's Worth From Your Financial Adviser
A good financial adviser will focus on how your financial planning and investment strategy align with your lifestyle and aspirations.
By Pam Krueger Published
-
Think of Prenups and Postnups as Financial Planning Tools
These contracts provide a clear framework for asset management and protection and are especially useful if you get married later in life.
By Andrew Hatherley, CDFA®, CRPC® Published
-
Congratulations on Your Raise: Three Things to Do With It
We're not saying you shouldn't spend it on a new car, but there are some considerations to guard against lifestyle creep and to help ensure a comfy retirement.
By Andrew Rosen, CFP®, CEP Published
-
Check Off These Four Financial Tasks to Finish 2024 Strong
The new year is a popular time to set financial goals, but now is the ideal time to check how you're doing. Four tweaks could make a big difference.
By Daniel Razvi, Esquire Published