Krista McBeath Contributes to InvestmentNews on Financial Planning for Women
Sharing Expertise on Financial Confidence and Key Planning Considerations for Women
Krista McBeath was recently quoted in InvestmentNews, a nationally recognized publication within the financial services industry.
Chosen for her expertise on the financial planning considerations many women face, her interview responses contributed to the article on a subject close to Krista's heart.
According to findings highlighted in the article, less than half of affluent women surveyed in a recent HSBC study said they feel extremely confident in their financial plan, while only 32% feel prepared for long-term care needs. At the same time, 70% said financial education tailored to their life stage would improve decision-making.
Taken together, the findings highlight a meaningful confidence gap around investing, estate planning, and navigating inherited assets.
This is an area that has long been important to Krista, particularly when working through the real-life planning decisions many women face as they approach and move through retirement. She appreciated the opportunity to contribute her perspective on how thoughtful planning and education can help bring clarity during key life transitions.
To read the full article in InvestmentNews, click here:
https://www.investmentnews.com/practice-management/financial-literacy-women/266219
While only a portion of her interview was included in the published article, the full discussion below is shared to provide additional context and highlight the important insights from her conversation.
Why do you think so many affluent women still lack confidence in their financial plan despite having significant assets?
Having assets does not automatically equal clarity or confidence. Many affluent women accumulated wealth while juggling careers, caregiving, and family responsibilities—but were not consistently included in financial decision-making conversations along the way, or were simply too busy to have those conversations.
During the accumulation years, planning discussions often focus on performance and products instead of outcomes, tradeoffs, proactive planning, and “what happens next.”
Confidence doesn’t come from affluence alone—it grows from understanding why decisions are being made, how each part of the financial picture connects, and what levers can be pulled as life evolves. When planning is collaborative, transparent, and tied to real-life scenarios—not just projections—confidence follows.
Where do you see the biggest financial literacy gaps for women today—investing, estate planning, long-term care, inheritance, or something else?
The biggest gaps typically show up at transition points, not in day-to-day finances.
Women are often very capable managers of cash flow and budgeting, but gaps tend to emerge around understanding how investments translate into sustainable income, how the full financial plan works together, estate planning mechanics, and what to do when assets are inherited—especially tax-deferred accounts.
These aren’t abstract topics—they become urgent during life transitions such as widowhood, divorce, caregiving, or inheritance. Without education ahead of time, those moments can feel overwhelming instead of manageable.
How should advisory firms tailor financial education and planning conversations to different life stages, such as career building, divorce, widowhood, caregiving, or inheritance?
Advisors should normalize that different life stages require different decisions—and that not having every answer all at once is acceptable.
Thoughtful planning done upfront can help individuals think through uncertainty, test different scenarios, and understand their options before those moments arise. At the same time, financial planning is never finished. Life evolves, and plans should evolve with it.
Confidence often comes from knowing there is a clear direction today, along with the flexibility to adapt over time.
What can advisors do to better prepare women for long-term care costs, wealth transfer, and leaving a financial legacy to loved ones?
Preparation begins long before a claim or inheritance occurs.
Advisors can begin by discussing chronic illness early—not as a narrow insurance conversation, but as a broader discussion about independence, dignity, and family impact. When women understand how care decisions affect not just finances, but also spouses, children, and overall flexibility, the conversation becomes more meaningful and less intimidating.
Stress-testing long-term care scenarios within the plan can help bring clarity to decisions that might otherwise feel uncertain—what it could cost, how it impacts the plan, and what decisions may need to be made.
Advisors should also regularly review estate documents, beneficiary designations, and account structures as part of ongoing planning—not as a one-time checklist item. In practice, these mechanics often matter more than advanced estate strategies, as many assets pass by beneficiary designation rather than by will.
Finally, legacy discussions should focus on values, priorities, and intended impact—not just dollar amounts. Legacy planning is most meaningful when grounded in real tradeoffs, reflecting the realities families face over time.
When both the purpose and the mechanics are understood, individuals are better equipped to engage confidently in their financial decisions.
The perspectives shared in this interview highlight the importance of building financial confidence, navigating life transitions, and making informed financial planning decisions over time. These themes remain an important part of the planning work the McBeath Financial Group team focuses on with women and families in the Bloomington-Normal area and beyond.
