Retirement Protip for Women: Your Community Matters
Women about to enter the retirement years face some unique challenges. According to a recent CBS News report, the three top retirement issues that females encounter are longer life spans, gender pay gaps, and a higher likelihood to take a career break. As such, a woman needs to take some extra measures to secure her desired future.
A suggested step that females can do is to rely on one’s community. Entering a new phase in one’s life can be frightening (especially for single women). As a woman, having someone to be there for you can help you prepare and live out the golden years just the way you want it to be. From guiding you on how to request long term quotes online to checking resources needed during the retirement years, planning and doing things as a group can be a rewarding experience.
Strength in Numbers
“Everything is awesome, everything is cool when you’re part of a team,” so goes the line from the catchy theme song of the Lego Movie. With the odds stacked against them, females can have a shot planning for their retirement by being part of a community, even more so if the group a woman is part of enforces community resiliency. As defined in an abstract from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (National Institutes of Health), community resiliency is the ability of a group of people overcoming different forms of adversity by working as one force.
Additionally, working together towards one goal not only helps individuals accomplish personal milestones – the different issues tackled by the community can create a framework to address problems in a more efficient manner. Think of it this way: resources and even experts may be available to tell you on how you should approach or prepare for retirement. But would these be enough for you to actually make a firm decision? How can you convince yourself that an insurance agent is genuinely helping you (and not simply selling you a plan?)?
Being in a group of assertive and like-minded individuals can contribute to putting your retirement plans into action. A resilient community understands what you are going through, for they have been through similar situations as well.
Women Deserve Care
Women, in general, have the shorter end of the stick when it comes to preparing for the twilight years. A community may help women deal with the three major issues mentioned by CBS News. Women can learn how to save money through the experiences of others (such as learning how long term care insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid work). Referrals to trusted agents or online resources can also be significant benefits to take from communities. For career breaks, a community can also serve as a networking group – additional or miscellaneous job opportunities may be available in certain groups.
More importantly, being part of a community will allow women to have the emotional support needed when handling retirement issues. Having a group of people to actively listen to the pain and problems a woman is experiencing can result in a better understanding on how to resolve an issue. Sometimes, all it takes is to have a shoulder to lean on to push and motivate one’s self on making great things happen.
You Can Make a Difference
Another important factor why women should be part of communities is of the opportunities they can have to help other people out. Learning new concepts effectively such as retirement planning isn’t only done by others solely providing information to you. Sharing your personal experiences and opinions helps create an engaging atmosphere for all to learn from. Who knows, your suggestions may be solutions for some!
It’s the give-and-take relationship that makes communities resilient. As mentioned above, a framework can be created from the lessons learned in a group. This framework can only be a useful tool for future use if only each member actively participates and contributes on coming up with solutions. Remember, everything can be awesome only if everyone works as a team.
Alternatively, retirement communities can also be seen as avenues for women empowerment. It’s having the power to learn and contribute that makes the difference. Although facing the later years may be hard, having the chance to make a difference can lighten one’s (and in effect, others as well) burden.
It Begins With You
Of course, you need to make the first step in finding a community that will matter for you. Regardless if these groups are friends and family, or online forums for you to access anywhere, it all begins with you by making an effort to join a community. Rest assured, finding a group of people to help you prepare for your journey toward a fulfilling retirement is also an experience worth the time and effort.
How about you? What are your thoughts on the importance for women to be part of communities when preparing for the retirement years? Do you have any experiences you’d like to share as a woman planning for the future? Please share it with us below.