We are reposting this video in honor of Women's History Month and International Women's Day!

In today's world, financial empowerment is a necessity. For women in particular, a deep understanding of financial planning is crucial for crafting a secure future, whether you're just starting your career or nearing retirement. In Build, Protect, Retire, an upcoming Women & Wealth webinar by Wealth Enhancement Group, you will learn how to navigate the complexities of the three main stages of financial planning.

Reprinted with permission of Real Simple.Protect what you’ve earned and prepare for the future with these five financial questions according to Nicole Webb, SVP, Financial Advisor at Wealth Enhancement Group®.

Equal pay for men and women has been the law since 1963. Yet, well into the next century, women with similar education, skills, and experience are still paid less than their male counterparts. So, what is the wage gap between men and women?

Retirement planning is crucial for everyone, but it introduces particular challenges for women. With longer life expectancies, as well as reduced earning potential due to the gender pay gap and other factors, women face a unique set of obstacles in preparing for retirement compared to men.

Losing a spouse is never easy. In addition to processing the profound emotional impact, you and your family must address various financial issues. The challenge can be exacerbated when your spouse was the primary income earner or dealt with your finances independently. The greatest challenge is not to determine the "perfect" next steps to take. Rather, you must figure out how to grieve, process, plan, and grow—all in the context of this life-altering event. 

There was once a point when women couldn't own property; now, women hold a growing proportion of the global wealth. What's even more interesting is that the different approach they bring to their investments impacts the broader (and still male-dominated) financial industry through impact investing.

When we start a relationship with a significant other, their financial status isn’t likely our first concern. But before getting married, or even before getting engaged, it makes sense to take a pause and have some serious conversations about current finances–and future expectations.

Women’s role in financial matters is becoming more important than ever. In fact, a recent survey from LPL Financial showed that more than 66% of women had either primary or shared financial decision-making responsibility with their partners.1 It’s with this statistic in mind that I introduce one that may be more difficult for some women to swallow: 90% of all women will be solely responsible for their finances at some point.2