Women should be especially concerned about planning for retirement because they live longer and usually have fewer resources. This web site has suggestions for women and retirement savings. http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/women.html

 

Social Security booklet

The Social Security Administration has a booklet entitled Social Security…What Every Woman Should Know. You can obtain a copy by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. The booklet is also available through the Social Security web site at http://www.ssa.gov

 

Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement

The Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER) website has resources especially for women.

 

Some Fact Sheets of special interest might be: Women & Pensions: What You Need to Know and It’s Never Too Late to Start Saving.

 

Divorce

Some resources at the WISER website are about divorce. See Spousal Protections in Pensions and Other Retirement Plans and Seven Key Questions You Need to Ask About the Pension.

 

The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) division of the Bureau of Labor Statistics has a publication that would be helpful for divorced people. The booklet is entitled QDROS---The Division of Pensions through Qualified Domestic Relations Orders. Phone 1-866-444-3272 or link to this site:

http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications

 

Checklist for women on retirement planning.

ü      Are you informed about Social Security and retirement benefits?

ü      Do you work for an employer that offers a pension plan?

ü      If yes, do you contribute to the plan if you are eligible to do so?

ü      Do you know what happens to your pension if you change jobs?

ü      If you divorce, are you entitled to a portion of your spouse’s pension benefits?

ü      If you are not eligible for an employer pension, do you have other savings plans?