We all know men and women are different in some fundamental ways. But is this true when it comes to financial planning? In a word, yes. In the financial world, women often find themselves in very different circumstances than their male counterparts.

More women than ever are successful professionals, entrepreneurs, and knowledgeable investors. Their economic clout is growing, and women's impact on the traditional workplace is still unfolding positively as women earn college and graduate degrees in record numbers and seek to successfully integrate their work and home lives to provide for their families.

Women live an average of 4.9 years longer than men. A longer life expectancy presents several financial challenges for women. They will need to stretch their retirement dollars further. Health-care needs and responsibilities for the disposition of the marital estate may have to be faced alone.