The Invisible Risk: Why Women Must Plan Differently for Retirement
- Laura Warta, CFP®, ChFC®
- Oct 8
- 3 min read
Redefining Retirement
There’s a silent factor that threatens the security of many women in retirement. It’s not the market. It’s not tax. It’s not even inflation.
It’s longevity.
Women, on average live longer than men. That may sound like good news – and in many ways it is. But longevity is a double-edged sword. While it gives us more years to enjoy life, it also increases the financial demands on our retirement plans. Yet too often, this critical reality is overlooked.
Living Longer Means Planning Smarter
Living into your 90s (and sometimes beyond) is no longer rare – it's becoming more common, especially for women. That means your retirement nest egg may need to stretch 30, even 40 years.
Think about that: you could be retired almost as long as you worked.
That kind of longevity changes the game. It magnifies the impact of:
Healthcare costs, which tend to rise sharply later in life
Inflation, which silently erodes purchasing power year after year
Market volatility, which can be especially damaging in early retirement
Unexpected life events, like widowhood or caregiving responsibilities
The challenge? Traditional retirement models weren't built with you in mind.
Why Generic Advise Doesn’t Cut It
Most retirement advice was built for a different era – and a different demographic. Many financial strategies assume a shorter lifespan, a two-income household, and minimal career interruptions. But that’s not the reality for many women.
You may have taken time away from your career to raise children or care for aging parents. You may be retiring single, divorced, or widowed. You may be managing finances alone for the first time in years – or ever.
Planning That Reflects Your Reality
As a Certified Financial Planner® professional who specializes in helping women retire with clarity and confidence, I help you plan not just for the expected—but for the likely.
We build a strategy that accounts for longer life spans, rising medical costs, and the lifestyle you want to maintain. We also create safeguards—like income buffers, flexible withdrawal plans, and legacy considerations—to protect your future self.
And most importantly, we do it in a way that feels approachable, respectful, and personalized.
Because you deserve more than a cookie-cutter plan.
Retirement Is the Start of Something – Not the End
Longevity is a gift. But only if you’re prepared for it.
Don’t let the invisible risk of not planning long enough catch you off guard. With the right partner by your side, you can build a retirement that not only lasts – but supports the life you’ve worked so hard to create.
Connect with Me
The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized financial, legal, or tax advice. Longevity, healthcare costs, and market risks may affect retirement outcomes differently depending on individual circumstances. Statements referring to emotional or financial outcomes are aspirational and not guaranteed. Keating Financial Advisory Services, Inc. (KFAS) is a Registered Investment Advisor. Advisory services are provided only where KFAS is properly registered or exempt from registration. Please consult a qualified financial advisor before making decisions about retirement planning.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.
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