Men are smarter savers, survey says

From paying bills to planning for retirement, men and women handle money issues differently — and that’s not necessarily a good thing for women.

The gender gap between men and women when it comes to financial literacy is “interesting and disturbing,” according to a recent survey from financial education company, Financial Finesse.Financial planning questionnaires, filled out by 3,500 U.S. workers nationwide, showed that not only are men more confident when it comes to finances, but they are also better prepared for the future.

Fifty-three percent of men said they have an emergency fund set aside to pay for bills for a few months if they lose their job. Only 34 percent of women have such a fund, according to the survey.While 90 percent of men say they pay their bills on time each month, only 74 percent of women say the same.

Additionally, 61 percent of men say they pay off their credit card balances in full, while only 36 percent of women reported they do.

These monthly financial decisions add up when thinking about the future. Twenty-three percent of men and just 12 percent of women say they know they are on target to replace at least 80 percent of their income when they retire.

Survey respondents earned between $60,000 and $75,000 per year and assessed their finances from January through April.