Four in 10 women are experiencing high stress levels about their household finances, which is higher than the rate for men. As a result, 63% of women agree that workplace benefits are integral to their overall financial wellness, and nearly 7 in 10 say their employer should provide benefits that address their financial stress.
Those are some of the key findings of the January 2025 Consumer Sentiment Study and the 2025 Insurance Barometer Study, both from LIMRA, a trade association for the insurance and related financial services industry.
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Preliminary data from the 2025 Insurance Barometer Study (conducted in conjunction with Life Happens) finds women are more likely than men to worry about having enough money to save for retirement, being able to save for an emergency fund, paying for long-term care expenses, and being able to support themselves if they become unable to work due to a disabling illness or injury. These concerns are even more elevated for younger women and women with financial dependents.
According to LIMRA research, women also are less confident in their understanding of their employee benefits — particularly life insurance and retirement plans. Women feel less confident than men that they made the best possible benefit selections during their most recent open enrollment period, too. Additionally, women are less satisfied with their overall benefits package than men. Part of this is due to more women working part-time and not being eligible for insurance benefits at work, according to researchers. Yet, even when accounting for only full-time employees, just 42% of women are satisfied with their benefits, compared with nearly half of men.
LIMRA officials say that improving women’s perception and understanding of their benefits can lead to a more satisfied female workforce and help improve their financial wellness.
“[All of] this highlights a need for employers to provide more educational resources before and during open enrollment to help all employees feel confident about their benefits elections,” according to a statement from the organization. “While 6 in 10 women say they only receive information about employee benefits during open enrollment, 70% say they would prefer to get benefits information at least a few times throughout the year. More frequent communications, reminders, and resources could help workers, particularly women, better understand the benefits available to them and might also improve their overall attitudes toward work.”
For example, more than a quarter of all women (27%) say they have high levels of mental/emotional stress, and 56% say mental health benefits are very important to them. Yet, women are less likely than men to feel their employer is invested in their mental wellbeing (36% versus 39%).
“As we recognize Women’s History Month, it is an opportunity for workplace benefits providers and brokers to help employers enhance their educational efforts to help working women improve their understanding about their workplace benefits,” LIMRA concludes. “Providing tailored benefits, enhancing communication, and fostering a culture of wellbeing can lead to a happier and more engaged female workforce.”
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