Most women plan to retire late, or not at all. And nearly half of those who do plan to "retire" say that retirement plans include work.
These are only some of the findings about women and retirement that surfaced in the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies' 15th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey and were released Tuesday to mark International Women's Day.
Women are handicapped when it comes to retirement by a number of factors, and the results of this research are hardly surprising; TCRS said that this is the 10th year its research has indicated that "women are at greater risk of not achieving a financially secure retirement compared to men."
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"Today's women are better educated and enjoy career opportunities that our grandmothers' generation could only dream about," Catherine Collinson, president of TCRS, said. "However, even today, a woman's path to a financially secure retirement is filled with roadblocks and detours, such as lower pay and time out of the workforce for parenting or caregiving, which can negatively impact her own long-term retirement preparedness."
And it shows. Here are 15 facts about women's retirement outlook:
1. No Confidence. Just 14 percent of women feel "very confident" that they'll be able to retire completely and live comfortably.
2. Later, Dahling. The majority — 54 percent — say that they'll either retire after age 65, or aren't planning on retiring at all, while 49 percent are going to work post-retirement.
3. What Do You Mean, What's Plan B? Sixty-four percent have no Plan B should they be compelled to leave the workplace before they intend to. 4. Have a Care, Dear. Women are also most often caregivers for ailing relatives, and of those who plan to take time off from work, or who have already done so, to provide care for a loved one, 67 percent say that it will have a negative impact on their retirement plans.
5. Just Part Time. Another problem facing women and their potential for retirement is part-time employment — 28 percent have just part-time jobs, making them less likely to have work-related retirement benefits.
6. Not An Option. Lack of a 401(k) plan is something else women deal with; just 66 percent of women are offered a 401(k) or similar retirement plan.
7. Of Course I'll Contribute. When they are offered access to an employee-funded retirement plan, however, 77 percent participate. 8. The 7 Percent Solution. When they have the chance to, women contribute a median of 7 percent to employer-sponsored plans.
9. Low and On the Outside. The majority of women — 55 percent — do their retirement saving outside the workplace, in an IRA, mutual fund, bank account or other vehicle.
10. Dollars and Cents. Overall, women estimate they'll need $800,000 (estimated median) to be feel financially secure.
11. Take a Guess. When making that estimate of how much they need, 57 percent of women have only "guessed" at the amount, rather than actually attempting to work it out with or without the aid of a financial professional.
12. Amateurs Only. Just 36 percent of women use a professional financial advisor.
13. Single-purpose Use. Among women who use a financial advisor, 77 percent do so just for retirement investment recommendations.
14. On My Own. Fifty-nine percent of women expect to self-fund their retirement through 401(k) or other savings and investments.
15. Make It Easy On Me. Women would prefer to cut through the complications; 53 percent want information that is easier to understand.
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