6 Ways Women Can Boost Retirement Savings
Women are worried they’ll outlive their nest eggs
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Even before inflation soared to 7.5 percent in January, longevity was a real risk to women’s retirement savings. With the average life expectancy for females hovering at around 80, living for 20 years or more without a regular paycheck is a distinct possibility. Add inflation to the mix, and it’s not surprising women are worried they’ll outlive their savings.
That was evident in an AARP survey of Americans ages 50-plus conducted late last year. Only 9 percent of women 50 to 64 expressed confidence that they’ll have enough money to live comfortably in retirement. The women who expressed a lack of confidence in their retirement readiness were worried that Social Security and their savings wouldn’t be enough to cover their living expenses. Others were concerned about the state of the economy and pointed to low incomes that make it difficult to save for retirement.
“Even before this skyrocketing inflation hit, women workers were already at risk of not achieving secure retirements,” says Catherine Collinson, CEO and president at Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies. “Women should be concerned about their long-term financial situation and retirement preparations.”
The good news: Even if you have a big shortfall, there are ways to shore up your savings. Here are six ways to do it
1. Create a financial plan
Retirement planning is more than deciding how much you’ll contribute to your 401(k). It requires having a clear sense of how much money is coming in and going out. Only then can you identify the risks and create strategies to overcome them. Putting your financial plan on paper can help you stay on track. Not sure where to start? Collinson suggests books, the internet, and friends and family as places to learn the fundamentals. “Women may also want to consider seeking the services of a professional financial adviser,” she says.
When designing your financial plan, make sure to account for both fixed and variable expenses, factoring in at least 3 percent inflation over time. Fixed expenses, like your rent or mortgage, should be paid for from guaranteed income, such as Social Security benefits or a pension. Knowing you can cover the most important expenses will give you peace of mind. Revisit your plan annually to make sure you’re still on track.
2. Take advantage of labor shortages
Employers are struggling to fill jobs these days, which presents retirees with opportunities to work and boost their cash flow. Even if you are already employed, you may be able to land a better-paying job.
3. Identify ways to curb spending
If you are facing cash flow issues in retirement, identifying ways to trim costs can be a quick and easy solution. Jody D’Agostini, a financial adviser at Equitable Advisors, says to start with the services you are no longer using and cancel them. With the services you do use, make sure to shop around. There are deals and discounts that can help you save on everything from health care to your mobile phone. “Covid helped us to prioritize what is important to us and what we value most. Commit your dollars to these expenses and reduce or eliminate others that you have done without and didn’t miss,” she says.
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4. Don’t be too conservative
Female investors tend to be more conservative than men in their approach to investing. While that risk-averse nature can stop them from acting on emotion, it can also hurt the returns they achieve. That’s not a viable option if you are late to the retirement savings party. Even if you have a sizable nest egg, avoiding all risk can be a costly mistake. That’s particularly true as women near retirement and hunker down in preservation mode.
“There’s a tendency for folks to get more conservative, and I always remind everyone retirement can last 25 to 35 years,” says Christie Whitney, a certified financial planner (CFP) who is vice president of investment advice and director of planning at Rebalance. “The best way to have greater guaranteed money is to have equity exposure in your portfolio not to shy away from that. Equities have historically been an excellent hedge against inflation.” Whitney says an investment portfolio should be well diversified, with investment dollars going to stocks and bonds. A 60 percent equity and 40 percent fixed-income portfolio is a time-tested way to stay diversified. “Just because you’ve turned 65 doesn’t mean you can’t be in the market. You absolutely need to be in the market, even if inflation settles at 3 percent,” she says.
5. Slow down on withdrawals
If you’re already retired and worried your money won’t last, an easy fix is to withdraw less each year. That may require you to curb spending in other areas or downsize your living arrangements, but it will ensure your money lasts longer. “If you’ve done a good job and saved, the rule of thumb is you pull around 4 percent of your assets, not 10 to 12 percent a year,” says Whitney. The vast majority of the money needs to stay invested to grow.
6. Stay the course
Volatility is front and center in the stock markets right now, as inflation and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine spook investors. Getting out may seem like a prudent move, but it could cost you. That’s a lesson many people learned during the Great Recession of 2008 and 2009 and then again during the COVID-19 sell-off. Those who stuck to their financial plan were able to recoup their losses and then some. The news is rough and the economy is whipsawing, but sometimes it’s better to bury your head in the sand and stay put.
Retirement can easily last more than 20 years. Inflation may come down, but the longevity risk for women is here to stay. Figuring out ways to shore up your savings and make your money last will ensure you live out your retirement years in the lifestyle you hoped for.
Donna Fuscaldo is a contributing writer and editor focusing on personal finance and health. She has spent over two decades writing and covering news for several national outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Investopedia and HerMoney.