Women's Salon
SERIES™
Refined Relevant Relaxed
Prudential Financial Experience & Behaviors among Women 2010-2011
Women are not confident about making financial decisions and do not fully understand (!) increasingly sophisticated financial products.
Overall, 95% indicate that they are involved with household financial decisions and 25% are the primary decision makers, while 84% of married women say they are involved with financial and retirement planning and 15% of those responding report they have sole responsibility.
55% of those reporting believe they will need to work longer than they expected but 75% believe they are on track to meet long-term goals or are well-positioned to catch up.
20% of women feel they are ‘very prepared’ 50% say they ‘need some help’ and 33% say they ‘need a lot of help’; 10% have a financial plan in place.
Trust is an issue, 19% say they are comfortable with a financial professional, 60% say they trust family and friends.
44% of women say providing for college tuition is very important compared to 23% in 2003.
Only 26% of women report they have the confidence to provide that tuition.
5% don’t understand how a savings account works.
16% don’t understand how life insurance works.
19% don’t understand how their employer retirement plan works.
25% don’t understand how an IRA works.
38% don’t understand stocks and bonds.
33% don’t understand estate planning or wills.
53% don’t understand annuities.
36% don’t understand long term care.
50% have not discussed life insurance with a spouse or adviser.
39% have not discussed wills or estate plans with spouse or adviser.
Sources of financial information:
64% family, spouse
62% printed literature
42% Internet
42% Employer plan website
34% Co-workers
30% Seminars, meetings
29% financial adviser
