A new study conducted at the University of Connecticut, which looked at the effects of divorce on a group of over 2,000 women over a 40-year period, lends support to the notion that the financial well-being of women suffers after divorce. That observation remained true in the study except in the case of women who remarried.

Because divorce can bring negative consequences in both the short term and long term, it is important for women to have a plan in place to secure their financial security. Ideally, that plan will be in place before, during and after marriage.

According to the researchers in charge of the study, one of the large factors affecting women who divorce and never remarry is the lack of receiving a spouse's Social Security benefit. That amount can be significant.

On average, women who divorced received $1,000 per month after retirement. Compare that to the $2,000 received by those who remarried, and the $2,200 received by those who retired when they had been continuously married.

Women who divorce also face short term negative consequences. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, women who divorced in the last 12 months were more likely to receive public assistance, to be in poverty and more likely to have a smaller household income than their male counterparts.

One of the most important factors in achieving economic security after divorce is to plan carefully. There are a variety of approaches to achieving this goal, including prenuptial agreements and careful negotiation at the divorce table.

Source: Forbes, "Study Shows Divorced Women Have Less Economic Security Than Women Who Stay Married," Jeff Landers, November 10, 2011.