As people are generally living longer—with women typically outliving men by up to five years—it’s crucial for women to plan adequately for retirement to maintain their standard of living. This guide explores why women often end up with smaller pensions than men and what can be done to bridge this gap.

Unique Challenges Faced by Women

Throughout their careers, many women face challenges that can impact their pension savings:

• Career Interruptions: Time off for childcare or caregiving responsibilities can reduce total career earnings and pension contributions.
• Part-Time Work: Reduced working hours to manage family obligations often result in lower pension savings.
• Career Breaks: Pursuing further education or other professional development later in life can also interrupt pension contributions.

Despite changes in societal roles, with more men taking on caregiving responsibilities, women still predominantly carry this burden, affecting their pension accumulations.

Starting a Pension Plan: Why It’s Essential

For women who have yet to start a pension plan, beginning one as soon as possible is vital for securing a comfortable retirement:

• Early Savings: Start contributing to a pension early in your career to maximize the compound interest benefits.
• Review and Adjust: Regularly review your pension plan to ensure it matches your retirement goals, especially if you’ve taken extended leaves or worked reduced hours.
• Understand Your Pension: Before retiring, assess how much income your pension will generate. If there’s a predicted shortfall, consider increasing your contributions.

Additional Considerations for Women

When planning for retirement, keep these points in mind:

• Employer’s Maternity Leave Policies: Check if your employer contributes to your pension during maternity leave.
• Effect of Reduced Hours: Understand how working fewer hours might impact employer pension contributions.
• State Pension Eligibility: Confirm your eligibility for the full State Pension (Contributory) and understand when you can begin to receive it.
• Previous Employers’ Pensions: Keep track of any pensions from previous employers and include their value in your retirement planning.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Retirement

Taking proactive steps to manage your pension is crucial for ensuring that your retirement years are as comfortable and financially secure as possible. It’s never too early or too late to start planning for retirement.

For personalized advice and to start building a robust retirement plan, contact our ezfees team at 0818 910 800 or send us an email at info@ezfeesfinancial.ie. Plan today for a secure tomorrow.