Challenges. Changes. Courage.

Early planning brings
better retirement

"The good news for women: They live longer, so they will have longer to enjoy their retirement," said author and financial planner Ginita Wall, in a recent national seminar on retirement planning for women. "The bad news: They live longer, and so their retirement will be much more expensive than their male counterparts."

Wall said retirement planning should start early -- when women are in their 30s and 40s -- and should be considered a priority, just like a bill.

Her tips for retirement planning are:

» Make retirement plans a priority when considering a job. Consider sacrificing a higher salary in return for a good retirement plan and look for employers who will match savings in a contributory plan.

» Work as long as possible. As long as income keeps coming in, retirement savings can be left untouched.

» Put as much money away for retirement as possible -- and do it regularly.

» Learn about Social Security benefits, and how divorce and remarriage affect payments. Divorced women are entitled to 50 percent of their ex-husband's benefit, if the marriage lasted at least 10 years. Those who remarry will lose that benefit.