Mom’s Finances Are Stretched Thin

SPRINGFIELD, Mass., April 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Moms feel they are doing it all: raising children, performing household chores and managing finances – and nearly eight in ten of these moms are juggling a job as well according to the 2010 U.S. Census. The reality is, doing it all perfectly may not be possible.

Only 24 percent of moms surveyed are satisfied with their current financial situation and one quarter of moms admit they are struggling to make ends meet or are worried about their financial future. However, only one third of moms (32 percent) currently use the services of a financial professional to help them with their investments and/or insurance needs. Those are among the key findings from the nationwide State of the American Mom Study released today by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual).

"It's no secret in today's world that moms are stretched thin, but their finances shouldn't have to suffer as a result," says Tara Reynolds, Corporate Vice President of Consumer and Product Marketing in MassMutual's Life Company Marketing division. "Luckily, finding an experienced financial professional for your finances can be easier than finding help for childcare or other things that cause stress for today's moms – and can make all the difference when it comes to achieving financial security for themselves and their families."

When it comes to insurance, the data shows that moms may be putting their families in an especially vulnerable position. Forty-six percent of moms surveyed do not own disability income insurance and an even larger number (68 percent) do not own long-term care insurance – both key to help ensure financial stability for the long term.

The following are a few key tips from MassMutual to help moms get their finances on track:

1. Be prepared. Emergencies aren't predictable. Set up an emergency account now to help protect yourself and avoid finding yourself in a troubling financial situation.
2. Protect your income. If you're a stay-at-home mom, you provide valuable services to your family that may trigger out-of-pocket expenses should something ever happen to you. With the help of a financial professional, you can explore available options to ensure that you're planning ahead adequately no matter what the future holds.
3. Guard your independence. Long-term care insurance is one option that allows you to have a plan in place to help protect your assets and remain as independent as possible, if you require the need for long term care.
4. Plan now (not later). Don't procrastinate when it comes to planning for your financial future. No one knows what the future brings, so now is the timeto sit down and think about how to pass your assets – but not your taxes – to your heirs.
5. Have the talk. Schedule monthly meetings to sit down with your spouse or significant other to discuss your finances. It's critical for both people to have a full understanding of all debt and assets in order to build a realistic plan.

To learn more about MassMutual's State of the American Mom Study or about how to take steps to plan for your financial future, visit massmutual.com/familyfinances.

Methodology
The survey was conducted for MassMutual by the Forbes Consulting Group, LLCbetween May 2nd and 11th, 2012 via a 20-minute online questionnaire. The survey comprised 1,014 interviews with American women who are financially responsible for children under the age of 27. Interviews were conducted among mothers aged 25-65 with household incomes greater than $50,000. Respondents had to contribute at least 40% to decisions regarding financial matters in their household to qualify. Results were weighted to the 2010 US Census to be representative of American women in this age and income bracket. The report is based on 806 women with incomes of $100,000 and above.

About MassMutual
Founded in 1851, MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyholders. The company has a long history of financial strength and strong performance, and although dividends are not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyholders consistently since the 1860s. With whole life insurance as its foundation, MassMutual provides products to help meet the financial needs of clients, such as life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, retirement/401(k) plan services, and annuities. In addition, the company's strong and growing network of financial professionals helps clients make good financial decisions for the long-term.

MassMutual Financial Group is a marketing name for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and its affiliated companies and sales representatives. MassMutual is headquartered in Springfield, Massachusetts and its major affiliates include: Babson Capital Management LLC; Baring Asset Management Limited; Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC; The First Mercantile Trust Company; MassMutual International LLC; MML Investors Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC; OppenheimerFunds, Inc.; and The MassMutual Trust Company, FSB.

For more information, visit www.massmutual.com or find MassMutual on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Google+.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Karen Lavariere-Sanchez
413.744.7660
[email protected]

SOURCE MassMutual