SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) Women face unique financial challenges, such as career breaks for caregiving and gender wealth gaps.

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professionals are offering insights into some of these challenges, along with tips to help women build wealth and achieve financial independence.

The Challenges

Wealth gap: Across all workers nationwide, women were typically paid 75 cents for every dollar paid to a man in 2023, a figure that’s held steady for decades. Given this persistent wage gap, it’s no surprise that the TIAA Institute finds that women have 30% less in retirement income than men, a big issue considering that American women live 5.8 years longer on average.

Caregiving roles: Women are often the primary caretaker to children and other family members, such as elderly parents, and are more likely than men to take time off from work to fulfill this role. This can impact long-term savings, professional advancement opportunities and Social Security benefits.

Health issues: While no one likes to imagine getting sick or feeling unwell, the unfortunate reality is that 1 in 8 American women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. Other women’s health conditions, while not life-threatening, can also be costly to manage. Menopause, for example, associated with more than 100 symptoms, costs U.S. women $26.6 billion annually in medical expenses and lost work, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Financial abuse:Financial abuse is a common form of domestic abuse whereby a member of the household seizes control over another’s financial resources. While financial abuse transcends socioeconomic boundaries, the majority of victims are women.

The Solutions

So how can women overcome these challenges? Here are several strategies for building wealth and holding onto it:

• Be proactive about potential health issues. Understand the price tag involved for care and adjust your budget accordingly. Have disability insurance to replace income should a medical condition sideline you, and a life insurance plan in place before a serious diagnosis to secure an affordable policy.

• Select a health insurance plan that meets your needs.

• Establish an emergency fund.

• Diversify your income streams.

• Begin investing in a well-diversified portfolio as early as possible.

• Build retirement savings by paying yourself first with each paycheck, maximizing contributions to tax-advantaged accounts.

• Create an estate plan to ensure your wishes will be met should you not have the capacity to speak for yourself.

• Educate yourself on finance and investing through workshops, books or by consulting with a CFP^® professional.

• Reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline for support if you’re experiencing financial abuse.

To find a CFP^® professional who can help you take these steps and work with you to overcome the unique challenges you face, visit LetsMakeAPlan.org.

Understanding the financial challenges you could face and the solutions to overcome them can help you pave the way to a secure future.

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