If you want to increase the number of women clients you serve, and strengthen relationships with existing female clients, keep these facts in mind:

1. Only 36 percent of women say they currently have a financial advisor;

2. 77 percent of women who do have advisors use them mainly for retirement investment recommendations; and

3. Women feel far less confident than men about reaching financial security in retirement, for several valid reasons--greater longevity, lower Social Security benefits, fewer years of retirement plan participation.

These conclusions are drawn from the 15^th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey of Workers.

After reviewing this fact sheet, one of the most effective prospecting strategies for reaching women in your market should be clear: Offer women of all ages a free retirement needs analysis (RNA).

An RNA, also called a “retirement gap analysis,” is a core planning document for women, because it helps to determine investment risk tolerance. Unlike men, who often accept higher risk for higher returns, women generally are willing to risk retirement funds only to achieve greater financial security.