Women Need Retirement Planning Nudge

LIMRA research consistently shows that the top financial concern for both women and men is saving enough money for retirement (83% of women compared to 77% of men).

But, taking action to prepare for retirement seems especially hard for women. Only 20% of women surveyed indicated they are comfortable with their level of financial knowledge. In addition, LIMRA finds that women are less likely than men to have done basic retirement planning activities.

Nearly half (48%) of men have calculated the amount of assets and investments they will have available to spend in retirement, but only 40% of women have done so. Two-thirds (66%) of men have determined what their Social Security benefits would be at different retirement ages, compared to 63% of women.

Fifty-four percent of men have determined what their income will be in retirement, while 53% of women have done the same.  Forty-eight percent of men have determined what their expenses will be in retirement, versus 47% of women.

The only retirement planning activities more women than men reported doing were determining health care coverage needed in retirement (44% of women vs. 39% of men) and estimating how many years assets and investments will last in retirement (35% vs. 34%).

LIMRA notes there are valid reasons why saving is tougher for women. According to Bureau of Labor statistics from 2014, the median wage for women was 83% of men’s wages. Lower salary over a working career, combined with breaks in employment to care for children and other family members diminishes retirement savings and results in lower Social Security income.  The fact that women usually live longer than men only adds to the challenges of retirement planning for women, LIMRA says.

However, women recognize they need help. Six in 10 agree that professional advice is needed for retirement and evaluating current savings plans. Fifty-one percent of women also said their need for professional advice has increased over the last few years, compared to 45% of men. 

The data comes from LIMRA Secure Retirement Institute’s “U.S. Consumers” study, which surveyed 6,015 consumers ages 25 to 64.