They were all smart, capable women who wanted to take action. They just needed a starting point.
Over the course of her career helping employees prepare for retirement, Meghan Dorr, Head of Retirement Service, noticed one pattern that was impossible to ignore: After nearly every meeting, a woman would pull her aside to share her story. Some were saving in a retirement plan for the first time at age 40, 50 or even 60. Others were starting over after a divorce or the sudden loss of a spouse. Still others simply didn’t know where to begin.
“They were all smart, capable women who wanted to take action,” Dorr says. “They just needed a starting point.”
Millions of women continue to need help finding the right starting point. It’s one reason the American Retirement Association (ARA) is launching the inaugural Women’s Retirement Security Day on July 14, 2026.
Here’s what you need to know.
Women take the reins
Over the next two decades, Baby Boomers will pass on more than $124 trillion to the next generation(s). A significant portion of that wealth will flow to women: By 2030, women in the U.S. and Europe may hold nearly half of all assets, according to some estimates.1
This wealth transfer will dramatically expand women’s influence both as investors and as financial decision makers. Yet many women are finding their asset ownership is growing faster than their confidence in being able to manage it:
- Among married workers, 69% of women report being somewhat or very confident about retirement, compared with 85% of married men
- Among unmarried workers, the confidence gap widens further—44% of women are somewhat or very confident versus 65% of men
- Longevity risk is also a bigger concern—71% of women vs. 58% of men are somewhat to very concerned they will outlive their savings2
Longevity changes the equation
An investor who lacks confidence may be more likely to delay decisions, avoid estimating retirement needs, or stay in overly conservative allocations. Often these behaviors compound over time.
For women, a lack of confidence in financial decision making can be compounded by longer life spans, increasing both the importance and complexity of retirement planning. Longevity statistics highlight the magnitude of this challenge:
- A 65-year-old woman today has approximately a 54% chance of living to age 85 or beyond
- For a healthy, non-smoking woman, that probability rises to 73% (see the exhibit below from the Guide to Retirement)
Further clouding the picture, while many workers expect to work until they reach age 65, the reality is many workers find they are forced to retire earlier:
- Nearly four in ten retirees report that they retired earlier than planned
- Among these retirees, nearly one-third indicate that they retired earlier due to health issues or disability (31%) and/or changes at their employer (31%)3
- Women who retire at age 62 (more often due to health/disability or to care for a partner or family member) may need their savings to last 30-35 years
Education and planning are critical
Employers, plan sponsors and advisors are well positioned to help women plan for a successful retirement. One proven method: Training sessions specifically designed to help women plan for retirement—covering topics such as investment risk, estate planning, long term care and Social Security.
However, the biggest boost to retirement success comes with thoughtful planning—and notably, fewer women report having a financial plan (30%) compared with men (45%). Further, confidence in decision making jumps from 51% to 92% for those who have a plan in place.4
The ARA's Women’s Retirement Security Day is about turning awareness into action. Here are steps women can take to feel more empowered and build a more secure retirement.
1. Create a plan
The most successful retirements are built on a financial plan tailored to that person’s goals and circumstances:
- Seek the help of a financial advisor
- Understand how longer life expectancy coupled with potential career breaks, as well as persistent pay and wealth gaps, are distinctive challenges for women that tend to intensify over time. Which is why it’s especially important for women to make proactive decisions regarding budgeting, saving and investing
2. Focus on what you can control
Retirement planning can feel overwhelming:
- Small, informed steps add up, especially when you focus on controllable actions like saving rates and investment mix
- Stay engaged: this is one area where a commitment to lifelong learning can pay off
- Consider using J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Principles for a Successful Retirement as a practical framework to build confidence over time
3. Make Social Security and Medicare decisions with intention
Enrolling in Social Security before—or after—full retirement age can impact income for the remainder of your life
- Take the time to understand the options available, regarding timing and trade-offs, as many decisions are difficult to change later
- Learn more at the Social Security & Medicare hub
- For additional information, read: Social Security's 2026 Trustee Report: Context, clarity and the path ahead
Where sponsor action is needed
Retirement plan decision makers have a key role to play, as well. Giving their plans a stronger “starting point” can provide the saving nudge most participants need:
- Pair automatic enrollment with automatic escalation
- Consider a higher default contribution rate
- Default contributions into a QDIA so participants are invested early in an age-appropriate allocation
- Offer retirement plan income that combines lifetime income options with flexible withdrawals to help address women’s longer lifespans, career gaps and uneven savings
Next steps
Help get the word out about Women’s Retirement Security Day—and share this article with women you know. The more actively women engage in the retirement planning process, the better their chances of having a more secure future. For additional information, check out J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s Guide to Retirement.