If you’ve been suffering through night sweats, hot flashes, and brain fog, you’re all too aware of how menopause can affect you physically and mentally. But what you may not know is its impact on your wallet and your financial future.
Juggling work, life, and menopause
You envisioned midlife as a time of professional success, a bigger income, and more self-confidence. But instead, you’re caught juggling the caregiving responsibilities of helping support your kids as they find their footing and caring for aging parents as part of the “sandwich generation.” Add dealing with menopause symptoms and career pressures to the mix, and it’s safe to say midlife isn’t turning out the way you expected.
Paying the menopause tax
If you’re in the midst of menopause, you might be seeing your doctor more frequently, taking pricey prescriptions or supplements, and looking into hormone replacement therapy, all of which can eat into your budget. Women in the US spend an estimated $13 billion a year on treatments and interventions to manage menopause symptoms.1 Costs can add up quickly — so much so that some refer to it as a “menopause tax.” And if you’re already juggling other financial responsibilities, these added expenses can make an already tight budget feel even more strained.
Financial confidence matters now more than ever
With so much happening in midlife, it can feel easier to push off retirement planning and investment decisions. But this is exactly when taking action matters most. By strengthening your financial resilience now, you can step into your next chapter with confidence.
Only 29% of women rank their ability to manage their finances as very good to excellent.2
By understanding the real costs that can come with menopause, planning for possible income changes, and firming up your long-term financial plans, you can stay on solid footing — now and in the years ahead. I can help you sort through your options and make sure you don’t have any gaps in your plan. This is a great time to take another look at your investment approach, how much risk you’re comfortable with, and whether your mix of investments still lines up with your goals and timeline.
5 things you can do today for a better tomorrow
Menopause is a chance to pause, rethink what matters most, and set goals for where you are. Taking a few simple actions today can help make a big difference in how prepared and empowered you feel for the years ahead. Whether it’s revisiting your plans, making small adjustments, or getting guidance along the way, each move helps you build toward the retirement — and legacy — you want. Let’s look at how you can take charge and feel more confident as you move into this next stage.
- Emergency funds
Having readily accessible funds set aside can make it easier to handle any financial curveballs that life may throw you without resorting to debt. - Catch-up
If you’re 50 or older, you might be eligible to make catch-up contributions to retirement accounts, which can accelerate your savings in the final stretch before retirement. - Proper insurance coverage
Make sure to review your health, disability, and life insurance policies to help ensure they meet current and future needs. - Debt reduction
Developing a clear plan to manage or eliminate debt not only frees up income for health care, retirement savings, or caregiving, but can also help strengthen long-term stability. - Legacy
Having a strong financial strategy that includes family and legacy planning can help boost your financial confidence.
Disclaimer:
1 Jennifer Sauer, et al, Economic Impact of Menopause: Individual and Collective Costs, AARP, 2024 https://icmglt.org/economic-impact-of-menopause-individual-and-collective-costs/
2 Money, Midlife, and Menopause, Guardian’s 14th Annual Workplace Benefits Study, 2025
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