This guest blog post comes courtesy of Purse Strings, LLC
Picture this: you just landed the job. The one with better pay, a real team, maybe even health insurance that doesn’t make you want to scream into a pillow. You’re filling out forms, meeting with HR, trying to remember everyone’s names, and figuring out how to get your printer to work. It’s a blur.
So it’s not surprising that something like your 401(k) might slip through the cracks.
You told yourself you’d come back to it later—when things weren’t so hectic, when you understood it better, when you had more time to really think about retirement. (Whatever that’s supposed to look like.)
But then… life kept moving. The next project came. The next big family thing. And suddenly, it’s been a year—or five—and that “later” never came.
If that’s you? You’re not alone. Not even close.
The Quiet Crisis: 26% of Women Aren’t Using Their 401(k)
We’re not here to guilt anyone, but we are here to shine a light.
Recent data shows that more than one in four women with access to a 401(k) aren’t participating. That’s a lot of money being left on the table—money that could grow into something powerful down the road.
And the thing is? This isn’t just about retirement. It’s about options. It’s about freedom. It’s about knowing you’re building something solid for yourself, even if everything else feels uncertain.
So What’s the Real Cost of Skipping It?
Let’s talk about Anna for a second. (Not her real name, but maybe you know someone like her.)
Anna got a new job at 46. She was thrilled—it was more aligned with her values, and the benefits were solid. But she was still recovering from a divorce, managing her mom’s medical care, and trying to settle into a new routine. Retirement felt far away and fuzzy.
She didn’t enroll in her 401(k). She figured she’d do it once she “got her bearings.” She also wanted to check her budget first—to make sure she had the space to put away 5% of her paycheck every month.
Pro tip: You do have the space. The beauty of a 401(k) is that you never even see that money. You can’t spend what doesn’t hit your checking account.
Fast forward five years. She missed out on:
- Thousands in employer match (hello, free money!)
- Five years of compounding growth
- And, most importantly, the confidence of knowing she was investing in her future self
We’re not sharing this to make anyone panic. We’re sharing it because this is the moment Anna wishes she could rewind to—when things finally felt stable enough to take stock, to sit with HR, to say: “Okay, let’s actually look at this.”
It’s Not Your Fault. But It Is Your Move.
Here’s the truth: most of us didn’t grow up having open conversations about money. We weren’t taught how to optimize a 401(k) or why it matters. And we’re often juggling caregiving, careers, and the invisible labor of life—so financial planning gets pushed down the list.
But let’s be real: if you’ve made it through the kind of transitions that bring you to a place like the greyzone, you are more than capable of sitting down and saying, “What’s mine here? And how do I claim it?”
Even if you feel behind. Even if you don’t know the lingo. Even if spreadsheets make your eye twitch.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about taking the next step—because you deserve more than just getting by.
Start Small. But Start Now.
Here are three things you can do this week to take back the wheel:
- Ask HR or your benefits team for a 401(k) review.
Tell them you want to understand the match and your current contribution. This is their job—you don’t need to have all the answers going in. - Log into your retirement account.
Even just finding your login info can feel like an accomplishment. (Because it is.) Once you’re in, save your username and password somewhere safe. The more you check in, the easier this process becomes. - Talk to someone who actually gets it.
And we don’t mean your cousin who swears by crypto. You deserve guidance from someone who listens, explains things clearly, and understands your life.
This Is Your Sign
If you’ve been waiting for “later” to deal with your 401(k)—or your money in general—this is your sign.
Later is now.
You don’t have to do it all. But you do have to take the first step. Your future self is counting on you—and she’s going to be so glad you did.
About Purse Strings
We’re Purse Strings—your financial wingwoman. We’re a one-stop shop for women who are ready to make confident money moves, even if they don’t know where to start. Our mission is simple: to help you protect yourself and your future through smart financial choices. Explore the directory at: www.pursestrings.com
