Women especially underprepared for retirement

Most Americans, especially women, are underprepared for retirement. According to new research by Mintel, four in 10 women have less than $10,000 saved and only 21 percent have more than $100,000 in all of their investment accounts.

The situation is even more dire for pre-retirees. Fifty-eight percent of single women over the age of 45 who have any kind of savings or retirement account have less than $50,000 saved, while only 22 percent have more than $100,000 saved. At the same time, these women are aware of their need to step up their savings efforts, as only 5 percent of 45 to 54-year-old women and 16 percent of 55-64-year-old women believe they are saving enough for their twilight years.