Women Confronting Retirement

In this nontraditional guide, the editors showcase the voices of 38 women as they confront the need to redefine who they are when they leave the workplace behind them. 34 photos.

Women in Mid-Life is an indispensable guide that contains essential information professionals need to help women plan for retirement as early as possible. This perceptive book recognizes that retirement is vastly different for women as compared to men and presents practical strategies that prepare women for their later years and reflect the specific realities of women. Educators, researchers, and service providers concerned about women's welfare will find this a valuable "survival kit" for preserving women's quality of life after retirement. With the help of Women in Mid-Life, readers will learn how to identify the issues women in mid-life must confront to enjoy a secure retirement. Important subjects covered by this guide include an overview of the literature on pre-retirement planning for middle-aged women and a list of specific self-help materials, professional and academic publications, and educational programs sponsored by national organizations available to assist women with pre-retirement planning. Eye-opening chapters describe a number of challenges that women in mid-life will face as they approach retirement. Some of the important issues described in Women in Mid-Life include: the current state-of-the-art concerning pre-retirement planning for women the economic picture of future generations of retirement age women the social, psychological, and physical issues that must be addressed by mid-life women prior to retirement current trends that will have a profound impact on mid-life women facing retirement (long-term care, mid-life divorce, etc.) the development of pre-retirement planning programs for women existing resources that will be of benefit to women engaged in pre-retirement planning A great majority of women now approaching old age will be single through lifestyle choice, separation, divorce, or widowhood, have inadequate retirement income, and be afflicted with a long-term chronic illness. This book is an essential resource for professionals working with women in mid-life who need to prepare for a secure retirement. Pre-retirement planning specialists, researchers and educators concerned with women's issues, directors and staff of women's centers, gerontology faculty, and health care and social service professionals will not only learn how to identify the challenges that older women face, but also learn practical strategies that women in mid-life can use to prepare for these retirement challenges.

Achieve emotional, physical and financial balance for total well being in retirement. Nowhere are gender differences more prevalent than in the areas of money and finance. Added to this are the complexities associated with women and financial matters, and now, longevity is redefining retirement for women. Women control over 60% of the wealth in this country, yet few financial models consider the relevant issues specific to women-- particularly in understanding the impacts physical and emotional needs have on financial wealth. Over 90% of women feel financially insecure and half of those women report a fear of becoming financially destitute. Women are at greater financial risk due to longer life expectancy, lesser earnings, care-giving interruptions, and fewer retirement resources. Add to that, sudden life events such as widowhood, divorce, and job loss, which can wreak havoc on women's emotional and financial health. This book discusses the need for life planning and offers strategies for consideration for all women who desire to be financially independent and experience optimal well being. Bajalia focuses on the health/wealth connection to ensure women have a quality of life during the various stages of their retirement lives. She provides a guide for protecting and preserving the lifestyle we desire as women and shares insights on the emotional, physical and financial balance required for a dignified, empowering retirement. For women, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE MONEY - IT'S ABOUT TOTAL WELL BEING.

Retirement then and now -- Women at work -- Financial security in retirement -- Planning and decision-making -- The psychosocial journey: from worker to retiree -- Retirement and health -- What next? -- Accentuate the positive

For the first time in history, career women -- women who have worked outside the home for most of their lives -- are retiring. Without role models, they look to one another to face the changes this life transition brings. Career women from the Baby Boom and pre-Baby Boom, or Silent, generations are approaching retirement. They want to know what it means to suddenly find themselves back inside their homes after having devoted their lives to careers outside of them. These women are highly skilled, educated and successful.They have achieved visibility, status and influence. And because they are the first large group of American women to define themselves by their work, they have few, if any, models for retirement. Project Renewment will show women that giving up their careers does not mean giving up who they are. Renewment is a term the authors created as an alternative to the word retirement, which they associated with negative stereotypes and clichés. A combination of retirement and renewal, Renewment suggests optimism and opportunity, growth and self-discovery. Project Renewment is a grassroots movement among women who are close to retirement or recently retired and looking to connect with one another. The women of Project Renewment believe that retiring is a process of change and increasing self-awareness. As they redirect the commitment and passion previously dedicated to their careers, they transform and reshape their lives. Project Renewment provides these women with an enriched and safe environment in which to explore and confront the challenges that lie ahead as they leave behind a lifetime at the office, hospital, studio or courtroom. Diverse topics are discussed, such as Who am I without my business card? What if he retires first? What is productivity anyway? Why do I feel guilty reading a book on a Tuesday afternoon? How do I feel about not earning another dollar? Divided into two sections, Project Renewment offers insight and support in a friendly, humorous and meaningful way. The first part of the book addresses the challenges that career women tackle when looking to retire. The second teaches readers how to start and maintain their own Project Renewment group, so they can find support, inspiring relationships and even a few laughs as they look to get the most out of the rest of their lives.

"Essential reading for decision-makers.... When Leech talks, politicians listen. When he writes a book, it's worth buying."--Toronto Star Over the next 20 years more than 7 million Canadian workers will retire. Baby boomers, the 45- to 65-year-olds who account for 42% of the country's workforce, will join the largest job exodus in Canadian history, moving to the promised land of retirement. Unless our crumbling pension system is reformed, many of these retirees will find this dreamland a bewildering and disappointing mirage. In the early 1980s, consumers were setting aside 20% of their disposable incomes to their retirement plans; today the savings rate is a threadbare 2.5%. Retirement savings plans meant to build Canadians' personal war chests for their final years have failed to live up to their cheery promises of early retirement "freedom"--market returns are low, and financial fees are climbing. Moreover, retirement plans are now being compromised by high pension obligations and a shrinking workforce. Canada has the capacity to diffuse this ticking pension time bomb with some hard choices, posits Leech. It's time for businesses, governments, unions, and employees to face these options and fix--and ultimately save--our pensions system.