Three Reasons Why Women Should Lead Household Retirement Planning

“From a practical standpoint, the ‘’till death do us part’ wedding vow often has a brutal coda: ‘Until, I, your husband, die first.’ Fifty-two percent of women between the ages of 75 and 84 are widowed, compared to 17 percent of men, according to the Society of Actuaries. Among the 65-to-74 crowd, 26 percent of women are widowed, and 8 percent of men have lost their spouse. With women more likely to need retirement income to last longer, it makes a lot of sense for them to head a couple’s retirement planning. David Littell, director of retirement income planning at the American College, says a common lament he hears from advisers is that couples don’t think through strategies that will provide the most security for the surviving spouse.” (Bloomberg)