TY - THES T1 - Relationship of financial literacy to retirement preparedness among female baby-boomer cohorts T2 - School of Public Service Leadership Y1 - 2015 A1 - Womack, Barbara Klein KW - End of life decisions KW - Health Conditions and Status KW - Methodology KW - Net Worth and Assets KW - Public Policy KW - Retirement Planning and Satisfaction KW - Women and Minorities AB - Studies have not examined the impact of components of financial literacy on retirement preparedness nor the relationship between financial literacy and decision-making among female baby-boomers. This study examined data from the 2010 wave of the Health and Retirement Study for females born between 1946 and 1959. This study defined financial literacy as including knowledge of investment strategies, the bond market, risk, and diversity. It defined retirement preparedness as the possession of specific financial assets. Financial decision-making was defined as the potential for mortgage default and carrying balances on credit cards. The study used a synthesis of rational choice and planned behavior theories. Correlation was used to describe the relationships between variables, and Fisher's transformation was used to determine significant differences between cohorts. Multiple linear regression was used to create predictive models for retirement planning, with the resultant finding that age was significant in predicting retirement preparedness ( p < .01). Older cohorts were more prepared, particularly in terms of owning IRA/Keogh plans. Understanding the effects of holding a variety of stocks and foreign stocks were most strongly related to retirement preparedness. There was a significant relationship between financial literacy and the potential for mortgage default ( p < .05) but not for carrying credit card balances. The regression produced a significant ( p < .05) predictive model for retirement preparedness, thought the relationship with financial literacy was slight. The research has implications in terms of housing, health, and municipal sustainability. Further research is necessary to define financial literacy, retirement preparedness, and their relationship. JF - School of Public Service Leadership PB - Capella University VL - Ph.D. U4 - Social research JO - Relationship of financial literacy to retirement preparedness among female baby-boomer cohorts ER -