Bob Carlson

Most discussions of retirement and retirement planning don’t make distinctions between men and women. It’s partly a result of political correctness and partly that women in general aren’t as involved in their financial planning as men. (Sorry, but as a general rule that’s true. Keep reading.) Retirement planning is more important for women, because they live longer than men. Women are more likely than men to outlive their income and assets. As life expectancies increase, the problem will be more acute.

“It’s very clear that people don’t plan for a long enough period of time of retirement, says Anna Rappaport, co-author of a study from the Society of Actuaries that shows that 92% of female retirees are not planning long-term to cover an estimated 20-year gap in financing their retirement because they are living longer. “And while planning horizon is not just a woman’s issue, her longevity and particular life circumstances that are common for women make it a particular challenge for women.”

Take a look at the links in the article for more details and some solutions.

This article says it’s written for women, but it applies to everyone. It’s theory is you won’t receive much if you don’t ask for it, and in today’s business world you’ll often get something by simply asking. It gives six suggestions of things to ask for this year. Use these or make your own list.