Smart financial moves for women

On March 8, we observe International Women’s Day, a celebration of women’s economic, political and social achievements. Yet women everywhere still face challenges — and here in the United States, one of their biggest challenges may be to gain the resources they need to enjoy a comfortable retirement. So, if you’re a woman, what steps should you take to make progress toward this goal?

Your first move should be to recognize some of the potential barriers to attaining your financial freedom. First of all, a “wage gap” between women and men still exists: The median earnings of ful...