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For women, the salary gap they face in their working years eventually turns into a retirement savings gap. Only about 6 in 10 women have a plan to keep them from outliving their savings once they retire, according to a recent study by Nationwide Advisory Solutions. Among men, it's more than 3 out of 4. The firm polled about 1,021 financial advisors and 824 investors in February and March. "We're in an industry that is inherently addressing the issues of men," said Kristi Rodriguez, leader of the Nationwide Retirement Institute at Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide. "We have to instill confidence in female investors."

Unique obstacles

Women face unique challenges when saving for retirement. For one, they live longer than men — on average by six to eight years, according to the World Health Organization. They're also subject to higher health-care costs. A woman retiring at age 65 in 2019 is likely to pay around $150,000 in health-care costs throughout retirement, while the number drops to $135,000 for men, according to an annual analysis by Fidelity Investments released earlier this year. Women also tend to spend more time away from work to care for children. Once they return, they can fall behind in rank and miss out on opportunities for promotion.

We're in an industry that is inherently addressing the issues of men. We have to instill confidence in female investors. Kristi Rodriguez Nationwide Retirement Institute

This "motherhood penalty" costs women $16,000 a year in lost wages, according to an analysis of Census data by the nonprofit advocacy organization National Women's Law Center in 2018. Financial advisors must address these obstacles and ensure women feel comfortable discussing these challenges. "You can find an advisor that meet the needs of both you and your spouse," Rodriguez said. "But what is important is to find someone who creates that environment to make you feel welcome."

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