Why Some Women Retire Early & Others Keep Working—The One Calculator That Tells You Where You Stand
What Separates Women Who Retire Early From Those Who Keep Working?
Imagine two women, both 58 years old, both with solid careers, and both dreaming of the same thing: a worry-free retirement filled with travel, relaxation, and time with family.
Fast-forward 10 years…
One of them—Tracy—is retired, sipping coffee on a Mediterranean cruise or perhaps enjoying quieter joys—gardening, reading, and spending more time with family. The other—Jane—is still working full-time at 68, not because she loves her job, but because she has to.
What happened?
It wasn’t necessarily their income. It wasn’t inheritance or luck. It was something far more controllable.
Tracy knew her numbers, tracked her spending, and built a plan early—while Jane hoped her savings would be "enough" without checking the reality of her financial situation. That small difference determined their futures.
The good news? You can retire sooner than you think—if you take control now. This post breaks down the three biggest differences between women who retire early and those who work well into their 70s. Plus, I’ll show you exactly what steps you can take today to retire with confidence.
My Personal Story: Lessons I Wish I Had Learned Sooner
I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve had seasons of financial discipline—times when I budgeted meticulously, planned ahead, and even prided myself on being frugal to a fault. But I’ve also had seasons of financial complacency—times when I was too busy working long hours, raising my children, or simply feeling so comfortable with my income that I got a little too confident that I had it all under control.
I’ve never been much of a budgeter in the traditional sense. My philosophy was always to earn more so I wouldn’t have to scrutinize every expense. And for the most part, that approach worked—I was always aware of my account balances and my numbers. But looking back, I can see how not actively managing my spending, not tying all the financial pieces together, and not having a structured plan sooner was a mistake. It’s a mistake many of us make that often results in less flexibility, and one that directly impacts the choices we get to make today and in the future.
I remember the time—after years of selling designer handbags (and never keeping even one for myself)—when I finally splurged on my dream red Chanel bag. It felt like a justified treat, a reward for all my hard work. But it didn’t take me long to realize that the price tag on that bag could have easily funded a full month at our favorite spot on the lakes in Michigan.
Let’s see… a bag that mostly sits in my closet or a vacation with family, escaping the Arizona heat, making memories I’d never forget? That was my moment of clarity. We all make choices, and those choices—whether small or big—shape how we live our lives.
FYI: I did pick up a side gig after I bought that bag (hello, buyer’s remorse!), but I still love it, use it often, and plan to keep it forever. It’s the perfect shade of red, end of story. LOL.
The Reality Check: Are Women Financially Prepared for Retirement?
Before we dive into the differences, let’s take a hard look at the financial reality for women approaching retirement:
Women retire with 30-40% less savings than men but live 5-7 years longer (Source: NIRS).
Healthcare costs for women in retirement average $165,000-$200,000 out of pocket (Source: Fidelity).
63% of women fear running out of money in retirement, yet many don’t track their finances closely.
These statistics are concerning—but preventable. Let’s break down the key differences between women who retire early and those who keep working.
3 Key Differences Between Women Who Retire Early & Those Who Keep Working
1. They Knew Their "Retirement Number" & Had a Budget
Women who retire early don’t guess—they plan.
Women like Tracy tracked their expenses, set up a realistic retirement budget, and knew exactly how much they needed to retire comfortably. Meanwhile, Jane assumed she had "enough," but without a clear spending plan, she found herself short.
What You Can Do Today:
Find Your Freedom Number: Use a tool like Monarch Money or Simplifi by Quicken to track spending and calculate how much you need.
Set a Monthly Retirement Budget: Write down your estimated housing, healthcare, travel, and daily living expenses—then track your real spending to make sure your estimate is accurate.
Adjust While You’re Still Working: Cutting unnecessary expenses now means more freedom later.
Example: Tracy calculated she needed $5,000 per month in retirement. She tracked her spending for a year and realized she was overspending by $700 per month—so she adjusted before retirement.
Final Thought: Your Retirement, Your Choice
Women like Tracy don’t retire early because they earn more—they retire early because they spend and invest smarter.
The good news? You can do this too.
Book a 1:1 Coaching Call with Me – Let’s build your plan together.
Your financial freedom is in your hands. Are you ready to take the first step?