Women typically have a rougher time financially than men. They live longer in retirement; depend more on Social Security (usually at a lower rate than men because of lower salaries and less time in the workplace), and have less income and less chance of it from a 401(k) or defined benefit plan (again, because of generally lower salaries and less time in the workplace). They also are more likely to have raided what retirement savings they do have to deal with financial emergencies. 

And now, the coup de grâce: even as girls, they're running behind on being prepared financially. A new T. Rowe Price survey, "Parents, Kids & Money," reveals that parents prepare boys better than girls to face the financial realities of life. 

In the survey of 8- to 14-year-old kids and their parents, more boys than girls said their parents talked with them about setting financial goals. In addition, the survey data indicate that kids whose parents do have those dreaded financial conversations with them do better at understanding financial issues (66 percent), developing saving behaviors (60 percent), feeling more confident about money issues and even saving for college.