T. Rowe Price Provides Retirement Checklist for Women
"Women are starting from behind yet have a longer race to run," said
Ward has 30 years of experience speaking about financial concerns related to women and investing.
- Know your worth and negotiate accordingly. A starting salary with an employer is typically the anchor to which future raises, bonuses, and promotions will be connected.
- Buckle down and budget. Understand how you spend your money, then you can find opportunities to reduce expenses and increase your retirement savings.
- Ditch the debt. Debt balances may affect women more harshly than men because their lower incomes may lead to higher debt-to-income ratios.
- Have money on the side. Use this money for an unexpected bill or to get through a period of uncertainty without having to tap credit cards or raid your retirement savings.
- Step up your savings rate and pay yourself first. If you have access to a workplace retirement plan, aim to save at least 15% of your salary, including any employer match. If you don't have a workplace retirement plan, consider investing in a Traditional or Roth Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
- Get comfortable with money matters. Tune in to podcasts, find a favorite blogger, choose a book on finances, or use an online retirement tool to get started. Building financial acumen is key whether you're supporting yourself or with a life partner.
When it comes to married or partnered households, Ward said that it's important for both individuals to take part in the financial planning for the household. "On average, women live longer than men. At some point in retirement, women may be solely responsible for their finances – whether by choice or not. We also need to be prepared should something happen to our spouse or the marriage. This underscores the need to engage with household finances, investments, and financial planning for retirement throughout their lives."
If married or partnered:
- Agree on shared financial objectives and how to achieve them. If one spouse is a saver and the other is a spender, for example, compromise will be key. While retirement accounts are individualized by nature, it's important to have a mutual vision for retirement and plan savings goals as a household.
- Prepare for life changes. For many couples, starting a family requires sacrifice and the need for flexibility. Women have typically been more likely to take time out of the workforce or alter their careers—though there's evidence this may be becoming more of a shared responsibility. Think about keeping a foot in the door with part-time, contractual, or consulting work. Keep up with retirement savings and consider a spousal IRA if you are relying on your partner's income for the household.
- Visualize retirement. Understand the household's full financial picture and visualize retirement with your partner. If working with a financial advisor, be present in those conversations and make sure he or she is helping to meet your needs. Consider all potential sources of retirement income, especially
Social Security claiming decisions.
This material is provided for general and educational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal, tax, or investment advice.
This material does not provide fiduciary recommendations concerning investments, nor is it intended to serve as the primary basis for investment decision-making.
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SOURCE
T. Rowe Price, Public Relations, Laura Parsons, 410-577-8548, Laura.Parsons@troweprice.com; Monique Bosco, 410-345-5740, Monique.Bosco@troweprice.com