Retirement & Financial Planning Report

Women overall are less confident about their prospects to retire with a comfortable lifestyle than are men, but it is a concern for both genders, according to a TransAmerica Center for Retirement Studies report.

It said results of a poll show that 46 percent of women and 50 percent of men are somewhat confident, 14 and 11 percent not at all confident, 26 and 22 percent not too confident, and 14 and 17 percent very confident.

It also found that 54 percent of women and 57 percent of men plan to not retire until after age 65 or to not retire at all, and that only 27 percent of each group are sure they will not work in retirement. But meantime women are less likely to participate in an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan, 77 vs. 82 percent, and those who do tend to invest less—an average of 10.8 percent of salary vs. 11.4. Fewer women than men, 55 vs. 64 percent, save for retirement outside work-sponsored plans.

Said the study: “Working longer and delaying retirement is an important opportunity to bridge a savings shortfall; however, planning not to retire is not a viable retirement strategy. It’s important to have a backup plan if retirement comes sooner than expected due to life’s unforeseen circumstances such as a job loss, health issues, or other family obligations.” Such a backup plan might include purchase of disability insurance and identifying potential cost-saving lifestyle changes such as moving into a smaller residence.

In advice that in general applies equally to men, the report suggest that women: development a retirement strategy and write it down; calculate retirement savings needs and save at a level to achieve those needs; participate in employer-sponsored retirement savings plans; educate themselves about retirement investing; and have a backup plan in the event they are unable to work until their planned retirement date.