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June 21, 2001 at 08:00 PM
Women Boomers Often Neglect Their Own Financial Planning
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A recent survey of American baby-boom women (ages 34-55) shows that most women in this age group find it highly important to have enough money to retire comfortably. Yet, a far smaller percentage has actually taken steps to ensure that outcome.
The survey, done by Prudential Life Insurance Company of America, Newark, N.J., also finds that while baby-boom women take steps to ensure their physical safety and the safety of their loved ones, (most have smoke detectors and cars with seatbelts) only 46% said they have a will, trust or an estate plan in place.
Other survey findings underscore the notion that baby-boom women want to be financially prepared for the future, for themselves and for their families, but are unsure how to create that reality.
Seventy-eight percent said securing long-term or institutional care insurance is important and 61% said they understand that nursing care can be very expensive. But, only 50% said they know first-hand about the actual costs of long-term care and only 5% of those surveyed own long-term care insurance policies.
Almost all of those surveyed, 97%, understand that saving for retirement is important (83% answered “very important,” while 14% answered “somewhat important”); however, fewer understand, and even fewer still assume management of, their individual retirement account or 401(k).
Seventy percent of respondents feel that passing money on to heirs is important; but, only 14% of those with children have done formal planning, including the creation of a will, trust, estate or a formal financial plan.
Although Prudential undertook the survey as a marketing tool for the female baby-boom population, its insurance agents can use the information and approach their clients through age-based selling, says Anna May Kinne, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Prudential.
“The findings from the survey validate the fact that there are real needs among women and help us identify gaps we can fill,” Kinne says.
One of the reasons baby-boom women have been reticent regarding their finances is perhaps the daunting question of where to begin. This can be an opportunity for agents who want to work with this demographic, says Kinne.
