Retirement Gap for Women in Business

A Study of the Retirement Savings Gap of Women Business Owners & Leaders

Welcome to our 2nd annual study and thank you for contributing to the growing conversation about the retirement savings gap among business owners and leaders.

Women business owners and leaders lag behind their male counterparts when it comes to getting prepared for a financially secure retirement. We are identifying barriers women face, discovering solutions and leading discussions that will help women entrepreneurs better prepare themselves and their workforce for a financially secure retirement.

Why is Leading Retirement Solutions conducting this study? Read a message from our company Founder & CEO, Kirsten Curry - http://page.leadingretirement.com/women_study_result_download

Click "Ok" to proceed to the survey questions. Your answers will help us find solutions and together we’ll close the retirement savings gap!

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* 1. What gender do you identify as?

Female

Male

Other

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* 2. Do you currently own a company or hold an executive position within an organization (either for-profit or not-for-profit)?

Yes, I own a company

Yes, I hold an executive position in an organization (for-profit or not-for-profit)

No, but I used to own a company or hold an executive position

No, I do not currently own a company or hold an executive position

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* 3. At what age did you start saving for retirement?

Before age 20

20 – 29

30 – 39

40 – 49

50+

I haven’t started saving for retirement

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* 4. At what age do you hope to retire?

Before 50

50 – 59

60 – 69

70+

I do not plan to retire

I don’t know

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* 5. Which of the following activities have you engaged in to prepare for a financially secure retirement? (select all that apply)

Contributing to a retirement plan or IRA

Building personal savings or money market account

Having a written retirement strategy

Creating a back-up plan in case of early retirement, market downturn, or other reasons

Calculating monthly/yearly expenses needed in retirement

Calculating a retirement savings goal

Hire a professional financial/investment advisor

Studying retirement investment strategies

Active in real estate and other non-securities investments

Practice conservative spending habits

None

Other (please specify)

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* 6. What percent of your income are you currently saving for retirement?

1 - 10%

11 - 20%

21 - 30%

31 - 40%

41 – 50%

50% +

None

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* 7. How often do you make contributions to your retirement plan/account(s)?

Every pay period

Once a month

Every 2 - 6 months

Every 7 - 11 months

Once a year

Every 2+ years

Whenever I can

I’m not currently contributing to my retirement plan/account

I have never contributed to my retirement plan/account

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* 8. How confident are you in your ability to:

	Not at all confident	Somewhat confident	Confident	Very confident	Extremely confident
Retire at the age you hope to?	Retire at the age you hope to? Not at all confident	Retire at the age you hope to? Somewhat confident	Retire at the age you hope to? Confident	Retire at the age you hope to? Very confident	Retire at the age you hope to? Extremely confident
Take care of your living expenses through retirement?	Take care of your living expenses through retirement? Not at all confident	Take care of your living expenses through retirement? Somewhat confident	Take care of your living expenses through retirement? Confident	Take care of your living expenses through retirement? Very confident	Take care of your living expenses through retirement? Extremely confident
Maintain your desired lifestyle through your retirement?	Maintain your desired lifestyle through your retirement? Not at all confident	Maintain your desired lifestyle through your retirement? Somewhat confident	Maintain your desired lifestyle through your retirement? Confident	Maintain your desired lifestyle through your retirement? Very confident	Maintain your desired lifestyle through your retirement? Extremely confident
Afford medical / healthcare expenses through your retirement?	Afford medical / healthcare expenses through your retirement? Not at all confident	Afford medical / healthcare expenses through your retirement? Somewhat confident	Afford medical / healthcare expenses through your retirement? Confident	Afford medical / healthcare expenses through your retirement? Very confident	Afford medical / healthcare expenses through your retirement? Extremely confident

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* 9. Which of the following financial goals is CURRENTLY the most important to you?

Being financially independent

Saving for retirement

Being able to help a dependent financially (children, parents, etc.)

Building an emergency fund

Managing day-to-day expenses

Reducing or eliminating debt

Creating a legacy for others

Saving for a large purchase or expense (college, home, auto, etc)

(Re)investing into a business

Other (please specify)

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* 10. What is your greatest challenge with respect to saving for retirement?

Lack of time

(Re)investing into your business

Lack of expertise

Need to support dependents

Limited income/opportunities

Lifestyle choices

Low priority

Meeting current cost of living

I have no challenge in saving for retirement

Other (please specify)

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* 11. Which types of retirement accounts, savings plans and/or investment activities have you participated in to prepare for a financially secure retirement? (select all that apply)

401(k)/403(b)/457

SEP/SIMPLE IRA

Traditional/Roth IRA

Defined Benefit (Cash Balance/Pension/etc)

Real estate

After-tax investments

Independent money market and/or savings accounts

I have not participated in any retirement plan, accounts, or activities

Other (please specify)

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* 12. Which type of retirement accounts/plans does your current company sponsor? (select all that apply)

401(k)/403(b)/457(f)

SEP/SIMPLE IRA

Traditional/Roth IRA

Defined Benefit (Cash Balance/Pension/etc)

My company does not sponsor a retirement plan/account

Other (please specify)

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* 13. During 2017, which types of retirement accounts/plans did you participate in? (select all that apply)

401(k)/403(b)/457

SEP/SIMPLE IRA

Traditional/Roth IRA

Defined Benefit (Cash Balance/Pension/etc)

I have not participated in a retirement plan, account, or activities

Other (please specify)

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* 14. Which sources of income do you expect to rely on in retirement? (select all that apply)

Retirement Savings (401(k), 403(b), IRA’s, etc)

Other personal savings and/or money market accounts

Real estate investments and other non-traditional investments

Social Security

Pension

Inheritance

Home equity

After tax investments

None

Other (please specify)

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* 15. How do you learn about saving for retirement? (select all that apply)

Professional investment/financial advisor

Retirement plan service provider (Recordkeeper, TPA, CPA, Attorney)

Online news networks/magazines/papers

Printed publications/magazines/newsletters

Friends/family

I have received formal education, training and/or work in the finance/retirement industry

None of the above

Other (please specify)