#286: "Equity" and Women on Wall Street

It's official: "Equity" is a now my new favorite movie about Wall Street. Sure, "Trading Places" was a classic, but there has never been a film about Wall Street where not only are women the main characters, but they also populate every role behind the camera. Guest Alysia Reiner (she plays Fig on "Orange is the New Black" and starred in the movie "Sideways") is the co-star and co-producer (with Sarah Megan Thomas) of "Equity" and explained why the movie felt so real: they spoke to REAL women who worked on Wall Street, some of whom became investors in the film.

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"Equity," which takes place in the post-financial crisis era, explores both gender and generational roles in finance in an entertaining and provocative way. As the financial thriller unfolds, we see ambitious women trying to walk the tightrope between being too nice or being accused of "having sharp elbows" or "rubbing people the wrong way."

There is also an interesting take on mentorship, which can be tricky in a male dominated field. Naomi, the main character played by Anna Gunn of "Breaking Bad" fame, advises young professional women, "Don't let money be a dirty word" -- a sentiment that we wholeheartedly embrace on this show!

Women also adapt by using what they have to their advantage. Alysia plays "Sam," the assistant US attorney who is a college acquaintance of Naomi. Sam uses her sexuality to her advantage as she investigates Naomi's firm for insider trading. Meanwhile, Naomi's associate Erin (played by Sarah Megan Thomas), who is juggling her husband and recent pregnancy with the desire to advance her career, finds herself asked to treat a twenty-something tech entrepreneur "very, very gently."

I don't want to give too much away--just listen to the interview and GO SEE THE MOVIE!

Here are some of the articles that I mentioned earlier in the show:

• Why You Should Work Longer
• Social Security Refresher
• Bad Trade: College for Retirement

Thanks to everyone who participated this week, especially Mark, the Best Producer/Music Curator in the World. Here's how to contact us:

• Call 855-411-JILL and we'll schedule time to get you on the show LIVE 

• Send an email: askjill@jillonmoney.com 

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Why You Should Work Longer

I have been called a “Buzz Kill” advocating that people should work longer. The reason I cling to this advice, is that in my years as a financial planner, I found that those who worked longer tended to have fewer financial problems and seemed more content as they aged. But I also know that many people really don’t like what they do, are burned out or simply can’t physically continue performing the tasks required for their jobs. But even many who could continue to work, used to choose not to do so. According to a study from the NIH’s National Institute on Aging, between the 1950s and the mid-1980s, “participation of older men in the labor force declined at a notable rate as more and more men opted for retirement before the standard age of 65.” The decline leveled off after the mid- to late-1980s. For women, the numbers are different, reflecting their entry into the work force. Proportionally more women of all ages are now working, including those over age 60.

But two boom and bust cycles (the Internet and housing bubbles) over the past decade and a half have prompted a greater share of older Americans to reconsider their previous dreams of early retirement. According to Pew Research, nearly 9 million people over the age of 65 reported working either full or part time -- that’s 18.8 percent of the total number of older Americans. In the year 2000, the share stood at just 12.8 percent.

You might think that most of these people are working because they have to earn money, and you would be right. A survey from Transamerica found that only less than half of retirees say that they have either fully financially recovered or were not impacted by the Great Recession. As a result, 60 percent of retirees said making money or earning benefits was at least one reason they kept working. 36 percent said they work mainly because they enjoy their jobs or want to stay involved.

That later group may be on to something, because many have found that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. According to a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, more than half of respondents reported retirement was just “moderately satisfying” or “not at all satisfying”. Perhaps working longer is the key to boosting satisfaction late in life. If you’re not convinced, there is another great benefit to staying on the job: it may actually help you live a longer life.

According to a study from Oregon State University, “working past age 65 could lead to longer life, while retiring early may be a risk factor for dying earlier.” Before you send me the terrible notes about people who retire and then immediately become ill, here are the numbers: healthy adults who retired one year past age 65 had an 11 percent lower risk of death from all causes, even when taking into account demographic, lifestyle and health issues. And even those who describe themselves as unhealthy were also likely to live longer if they kept working.

There is some belief that staying active and engaged at work may help fight the natural decline in physical and cognitive functioning, but don’t fret if you aren’t working. There is plenty of research that shows membership in social groups, such as book clubs or religious organizations, after retirement is also linked to a longer life. The key is to remain engaged in some way, whether through work, group membership or even hobbies, like playing cards or bridge.