What All Women Should Know About Retirement

It's a fear that lurks in the back of every woman's mind -- the fear of being a bag lady. It doesn't take the sight of an older woman pushing a shopping cart with all her belongings to summon up the worry about being older, alone and without enough money to stay in control of our own life.

Women worry with good reason: They outlive men. At age 60, a man has a life expectancy of 18.9 years. But a woman at age 60 now has a life expectancy of 23.1 years. Those four extra years of life will be expensive. And they'll come when you may have the least ability to make good decisions.

That's why it's important to start planning while you're in good health and when time is on your side. Here's what women must do as they approach retirement.

Take a Reality Check ...