A RESEARCH ON FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT AMONG WORKING WOMEN

Financial security after retirement is a critical aspect of personal wellbeing, especially for working women who often face career breaks, wage disparities, and longer life expectancy. This research aims to assess the level of awareness, financial literacy, planning behavior, and retirement preparedness among working women in Thane and Mumbai districts of Maharashtra, India. A structured questionnaire was administered to 101 respondents, and the results indicate that although most women possess partial or full awareness of retirement planning, a significant gap persists in actual investment behavior. Income limitations, insufficient exposure to financial schemes, and lack of professional guidance contribute to lower engagement in retirement investments. The study highlights the urgency to strengthen financial literacy programs, workplace education, and policy frameworks to support better retirement planning for women.