As women, we often face unique financial challenges that our male counterparts may not experience. From the gender pay gap to longer life expectancies, women need to take into account different factors when it comes to financial planning. These unique challenges require a tailored and personalized approach to ensure a secure financial future. In this article, we will discuss the unique financial challenges women face and how working with a financial planner can help.
1. The Gender Pay Gap
The gender pay gap continues to affect women’s finances, making it harder for women to accumulate wealth and invest in their future. Women’s careers are often interrupted by taking time off for caregiving or household responsibilities. As a result, women may have fewer working years than men and lower average salaries. This all adds up to a smaller Social Security benefit, less money for retirement, and fewer growth opportunities.
Working with a financial planner can help you identify a tailored saving and investing strategy that accommodates these unique challenges. A financial planner can help you negotiate higher salaries or advocate for equal pay in the workplace, and they can help you manage your budget to maximize your savings. Also, many will find that long-run investment returns are higher when working with a financial planner as an investments manager.
2. Longer Life Expectancies
Women generally live longer than men, which means women need to plan for longer retirements. Women must save more money and invest it wisely to ensure that they have enough retirement income to support them in their later years. By working with a financial planner, you can develop a retirement savings plan that factors in a longer life expectancy. A financial planner can also help you invest your retirement savings strategically, so you can ensure that your money lasts as long as you need it to.
3. Time Off Work for Caregiving Responsibilities
Many women take time off work to care for children, aging parents, or other family members. These periods of time off work often result in reduced income, which can make it harder for women to save for retirement.
Your financial planner can help you evaluate the impact of reduced income on your long-term savings goals and develop a strategy that accounts for periods of reduced income. Additionally, a financial planner can help you identify ways to maximize your earning potential, even during periods when you are not working full-time.
4. Investment Confidence
Studies show that women are often less confident when it comes to investing than men. Women may be hesitant to invest in the stock market, which can slow down the process of wealth accumulation. A financial planner can help women build investment confidence through education, tailored strategies, and building authentic trust in the relationship. A financial planner can help you understand investing concepts and develop an investment strategy that aligns with your risk tolerance and financial goals.
5. Healthcare Costs
Women generally face higher healthcare costs than men during their lifetime, including in retirement. Women’s unique health needs can contribute to higher medical expenses. Your financial planner can help you evaluate your health care expenses and ensure that you have a strategy in place to pay for them in retirement. A financial planner can suggest long-term care insurance, which can help cover the costs of medical expenses should you need them in the future.
Working with a financial planner that is experienced in developing tailored solutions for women’s financial challenges can help you better navigate these unique challenges. A financial planner can help you identify your financial goals, develop a comprehensive financial plan that factors in your unique challenges, and help you implement that plan. By working with a financial planner, you can take control of your finances and ensure that you are taking the right steps towards financial security.
Are you ready to get started?
Working with a female fiduciary advisor can help you feel more confident and secure about your finances. Don’t wait – take control of your financial future today!
To schedule your complimentary 20-minute initial call with one of our Fiduciary Advisors click the link below.
Still reading? Here’s a few related articles that will interest you by Hilary Hendershott, CFP®, MBA:
