One underrated Halloween haunt that's raising its ugly head for more than half the population is this horror: women's future retirement.

Women have long held the dubious position of "scream queens" in horror movies, their only apparent purpose to stand in terror while watching the advance of doom — but when it comes to retirement saving, women need to be their own heroines, pay attention and take action to safeguard their future.

There are lots of good reasons for women to fear the long night of retirement, rather than looking forward to it with anticipation. While men have their own handicaps in preparing for the end of a career, women have more—and bigger—hurdles to jump if they're going to avoid spending their waning years impoverished and uncared for.