3 Reasons More Women Should Plan for Widowhood
Women live longer than men. I referred to this fact in my previous blog about why it is important for women to plan ahead for retirement. Scientists aren’t certain why exactly but some believe it could be because of women’s double-X redundant chromosomes, estrogen, or lots of other factors.1 But the bottom line is that the population of widows is far greater than widowers.
The problem is that too many widows are unexpectedly thrust into a new life, sometimes unprepared to face the financial challenges of going at it alone. The death of a life partner is something no one wants to think about. Life is so busy that there are always more immediate things to think about. However, good financial planning and a realistic outlook can give both you and your spouse peace of mind. That planning also has the advantage of shoring up both your retirement incomes if you beat the odds.
More women need to plan for widowhood as part of their financial and retirement strategy and here are three reasons why:
Reason 1: Women Can Expect to Outlive Men by Almost 5 Years2
A higher life expectancy means a married woman is more likely to become widowed and at a relatively early age. For example, in 2011 the median age of widows was 59, with other statisticians claiming the average age was 55 or 56. So that means at least another 26 years of life expectancy (and living/retirement expenses) for the widow.
Reason 2: The Death of a Spouse Is the Number One Stressor3
Even more so than a divorce, the death of a spouse is one of life’s most devastating events. The stress, bewilderment, and deep sense of loss could lead to paralysis and indecision in facing the new financial challenges of getting on with life. During this time in addition to a sense of loss, there is a feeling of fear and helplessness. It is often very difficult to make important decisions that impact the next phase of your life.
Reason 3: About 25 Percent of Widows Go Through Their Husbands’ Death Benefits After Only Two Months
The poverty rate among elder widows is as much as four times higher than elderly married women. Many widows end up living on their own and need an independent retirement income.
So, the new widow must plan head. Unexpected complications like probate, wills and family disputes can heap additional stress and heartache on top of financial problems.
What Can Women Do to Better Prepare for Widowhood?
Step 1: Organize Your Assets
Don’t wait. Do this now, whatever your age. Gather up those insurance policies, retirement plans, mortgage and list of debts. Write down the account numbers for your bank and broker. Don’t forget your property deeds and titles, powers of attorney, passports, and birth/marriage certificates.
Don’t store anything in a bank safe deposit box that you may need before final probate. Safe deposit boxes could be sealed by a probate court. Those vital documents could be inaccessible before the estate is settled. This advice goes double for wills, copies of which should be notarized and provided to family members.
Step 2: Run the Numbers, Make a Budget, and Grow Your Nest Egg
Information gathering is the first step to knowing whether you will have enough money to get by on after the death of a spouse. The numbers may tell you that you can’t support your current lifestyle if one of the paychecks stops or your Social Security benefit becomes less. Plan accordingly.
Get a handle on your current expenses vs. income. If you are in your high-earning years and are now making more than you can spend, start thinking about putting that extra money to work. Look into additional savings and investment plans that you can convert to an additional pension — annuities, for example. Get some financial advice.
About Angela
Angela Dorsey is the founder and financial advisor at Dorsey Wealth Management, a fee-only financial planning firm based in Torrance, California, helping women prepare for retirement. Angela earned a BS in computer science from Loyola Marymount University, an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management, and spent 20 years as a Senior Compensation Specialist in large corporations before becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). That background gave her the tools to couple with her passion for empowering women to make the best financial decisions possible. Angela lives in Torrance, California, with her husband. She enjoys spending time at the beach or surrounded by nature. To learn more about Angela, connect with her on LinkedIn.
1 http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20151001-why-women-live-longer-than-men
2 www.statista.com/statistics/274513/life-expectancy-in-north-america/
3 http://www.dartmouth.edu/~eap/library/lifechangestresstest.pdf
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