*This post was sponsored by SheSpeaks for Prudential. All opinions are 100% my own.
I can still remember the first time that I started thinking about my long-term finances. It was in September of 2000 and I had just started a new job as a NYC public school teacher. As I was filling out papers for my pension, another veteran teacher sat down next to me and advised me on the importance of starting to think about my retirement from an early age.
At that moment, I recall stifling a chuckle because nothing was further from my twenty two year old mind. She persisted and went on to tell me how women’s social security benefits are 27% lower than that of their male counterparts.* This statistic shocked me as well as the fact that she shared with me that she had failed to make those important financial decisions at the beginning of her career. As a result, her pension consultation had left her disappointed and worried about her future.
That day, my eyes were fully open to the fact that it was imperative that I get a handle on my finances sooner than later. After all, statistics show that women outlive men by an average of 5-6 years.** I wondered if I would be prepared financially during these years. It was certainly an “aha” moment for me and it opened my eyes to the importance of women being active participants with their money and investments.
Prudential wants to empower women like me to take bold steps by way of understanding financial challenges and being more proactive about our personal finances. By becoming educated and aware about Prudential’s four key insights challenging women’s financial security, I can better focus on my own financial needs as I move into the future.
You too can take control of your finances by meeting with a Prudential financial advisor to evaluate if you have enough coverage to sustain you well into retirement. Women’s discomfort with investing comes at a high cost for them: They are apt to delay investing, invest more in lower risk, lower return investments and are more likely to run out of money in retirement. Let’s help to start the conversation about the importance of women being active participants with their money and investments!
*Source: Social Security Administration, Fast Facts and Figures About Social Security, 2016
**Source: Prudential Retirement analysis; National Center for Health Statistics, Health, United States, 2015: With Special Feature on Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. Hyattsville, MD. 2016
Let’s Discuss: What are some of the ways that you are empowering yourself to take control of your finances?
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by SheSpeaks for Prudential. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
© 2017, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
I love that Prudential wants to empower women. What an awesome and powerful campaign from such as big company!
This is a much needed blog post. I know so many women who really need to think about financial empowerment. I highly encourage all women to become financially independent and learn how to invest their money for the future. This is a great post!
Women are always saying, “We can do anything that men can do,” but men should be saying, “We can do anything that women can do.”
That is awesome that Prudential is raising awareness for women. I never knew that about Social Security and my best friend is a supervisor for them. I usually hear about a lot of the ins and outs. It is so sad!
I agree that it’s important for women to understand their finances well. Prudential sounds like a useful company to work with!
It’s definitely important to save and prepare for our future! It’s so nice that you’re already planning for yours. We should learn how to take better care of ourselves as women.
I started working when I was 21. Back then it didn’t occur to me how important it was to have my finances in order. I didn’t get financially smart until later in life. Now I wish I had started sooner.
It’s really important for me to have a plan for the future, especially when the kids are all building their own lives. I think this is amazing!
Wow! This was very informative. Thank you for encouraging me to seek more financial education. It’s so important to understand this.
This is such a great post. Financial stability is huge! Especially for women. I have tried from an early age to understand my finances and be proactive in understanding them and planning for my future.
Yes, once the boys get into college the time begins to fly by even more quickly. Hubby is retired 2 years now and I can’t wait to put “in my papers” – but must have the finances in order.
This is such a great campaign for women!
It’s so important for women to feel empowered by smart financial decisions. This is a great conversation starter!
My husband is amazing with money. We have a good savings because we live below our means. I am still trying to build my business so I don’t have any personal savings, but once I have a big enough chunk I plan to invest and save!
Yes, I love that Prudential is doing this!! It’s never too early or too late to become proactive and educated about our personal finances!!
Being in the Military I’m offered several options to help with my financial security. Unfortunately most young women my age don’t even know the steps to take. I love what Prudential is doing and I will for sure let my friends know about it.