Who handles the money in your household? If your home is like most, it depends on the kind of financial planning involved. A new study from UBS found that 85 percent of married women handle the day-to-day financial management in their household. However, the same survey found that only 23 percent of married are in charge of their long-term planning. The remainder defer that work to their husband.1
 
Why do so many women defer their long-term financial planning to their spouse? According to the study, 82 percent of women said they think their spouse is more knowledgeable about long-term financial planning.1
 
Partnership is always important in marriage, especially when it comes to financial planning. Finances are often a major cause of arguments and disagreements, so it’s helpful for both spouses to be involved in decision-making.
 
It’s also important for women to take control of their financial future because they may face challenges and risks that men do not face. Below are two such challenges. If you haven’t developed a long-term financial strategy, now may be the time to do so. A financial professional can help you get started.

Longevity 

People are living longer than ever, primarily because of advances in health care and increased understanding about health and nutrition. However, women usually have the edge on men in terms of life expectancy.
 
According to the Society of Actuaries, the average 65-year-old man has a 50 percent chance of living to 87 and a 25 percent chance of living to 92. However, a 65-year-old woman has a 50 percent chance of living to 92 and a 25 percent chance of living to 96.2
 
This means that many women can expect to outlive their husbands. While that idea may not be pleasant to think about, it’s an important planning consideration. A longer lifespan means a longer retirement. That means you’ll need to make your assets and income last longer so you can live comfortably.

Career Earnings 

Many women also may earn less over their career than their husbands or even their male counterparts in the workplace. According to a study from PayScale, a salary website, the average woman hits her peak in annual earnings at age 44. Men, on the other hand, hit their peak at age 55.3 PayScale also found that women earn less over the course of their career. The average woman has a peak annual income of $66,700. Men peak at just over $100,000.3
 
There are a number of reasons why this earnings gap exists. Some women may take time off to care for children. Others may sacrifice their career so their husbands can pursue a more demanding and time-consuming career. Others may suffer from the well-known pay gap that exists in the United States.
 
Regardless of the reason, it’s important for women to know that the earnings gap exists so they can plan accordingly. Career earnings often translates into savings. A woman who has less career earnings may also have fewer assets saved for retirement.
 
Ready to take control of your long-term financial planning? Let’s talk about it. Contact us today at Heritage Financial North. We can help you analyze your needs and develop a strategy. Let’s connect soon and start the conversation.
 
 
1https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2019/03/07/many-women-defer-to-spouses-on-big-financial-decisions-ubs/
2https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/retirement/longevity
3https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/11/gender-pay-gap-womens-earnings-peak-11-years-before-mens-payscale.html
 
Licensed Insurance Professional. This information is designed to provide a general overview with regard to the subject matter covered and is not state specific. The authors, publisher and host are not providing legal, accounting or specific advice for your situation. By providing your information, you give consent to be contacted about the possible sale of an insurance or annuity product. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting insurance professional. The statements and opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change at any time. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, presenting insurance professional makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and is not sponsored or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency.
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The world has changed significantly in the past few decades. Thirty years ago, there weren’t cell phones. Computers weren’t widely owned. There was no Uber or Airbnb. Social media was unheard of and virtual reality was the stuff of science fiction.
 
The world changes quickly, and not just in terms of technology. Retirement has changed significantly in the past few decades as well. The next generation of retirees will face challenges that previous generations didn’t face.
 
The good news is that you can overcome these potential challenges if you plan ahead. Below are a few ways in which retirement has changed over time. Do you have a strategy to address these challenges? If not, now may be the time to develop one. A financial professional can help you get started.

Longevity 
​
People are living longer than ever. Usually, that’s a good thing, but a long lifespan can create financial challenges. According to the Society of Actuaries, today’s retirees can plan on a long lifespan. They estimate that a 65-year-old couple has a 50 percent chance of one spouse living to age 94 and a 25 percent chance of one spouse living to 98.1
 
If you retire in your mid-60s, there’s a chance your retirement could last 30 years. That means you’ll need your assets and your income to last that long. That could be difficult, especially if you overspend in the early years of retirement.

Income Sources 

There was a time when retirees could count on income from Social Security and an employer defined benefit pension to fund their retirement. Those days are long gone. Defined benefit pensions are quickly disappearing from employer benefit options. In fact, the percentage of Fortune 500 companies that offer defined benefit pensions has dropped from 59 percent in 1998 to 16 percent in 2017.2
 
While you can likely count on Social Security income, it may not be enough to fund a full retirement. That means you may need to take withdrawals from your savings and investments to generate income. You’ll likely need an income strategy to make sure you savings lasts through a long, fulfilling retirement.

Health Care 

Health care costs have risen dramatically in recent decades. Medicare helps cover some of those costs, but it doesn’t cover everything. In fact, Fidelity estimates that the average retiree will spend $285,000 out-of-pocket on healthcare.3 That figure is above and beyond what is covered by Medicare, and includes things like premiums, deductibles, copays and more.
 
How do you plan for high out-of-pocket healthcare costs? One effective strategy is to budget for them. You also may want to consider an investment strategy that generates enough income to cover potential health care costs.

Complexity 

Retirement income. Healthcare costs. Budgeting. Longevity. How do you plan a retirement strategy that considers all these potential challenges and more? For many retirees, the complexity of managing these issues is the real challenge.
 
Fortunately, you can address retirement issues head-on by developing a personalized retirement income plan. A retirement plan can help you project your income, budget your spending, and make sure that your assets last as long as you need them to.
 
Ready to plan for a 21st-century retirement? Let’s talk about it. Contact us today at Heritage Financial North. We can help you analyze your needs and implement a plan. Let’s connect soon and start the conversation.
 
1https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/retirement/longevity
2https://www.planadviser.com/mere-16-fortune-500-companies-offer-db-plan/
3https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/personal-finance/plan-for-rising-health-care-costs\
 
Licensed Insurance Professional. This information is designed to provide a general overview with regard to the subject matter covered and is not state specific. The authors, publisher and host are not providing legal, accounting or specific advice for your situation. By providing your information, you give consent to be contacted about the possible sale of an insurance or annuity product. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting insurance professional. The statements and opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change at any time. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, presenting insurance professional makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal, tax or investment advice. This information has been provided by a Licensed Insurance Professional and is not sponsored or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any government agency.
 
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