This study investigates how midlife psychological traits and behavioral factors influence life satisfaction in later life, particularly for women. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979, we examined the influence of midlife psychological traits and financial behaviors including locus of control, financial literacy (objective and subjective), and retirement planning, on life satisfaction among women aged 57 to 65, and how these relationships vary by marital status. An internal locus of control, and higher subjective financial knowledge were positively associated with life satisfaction. In contrast, higher objective financial knowledge was linked to higher likelihood of reporting lower life satisfaction and a reduced likelihood of reporting the highest satisfaction level. Retirement planning was not a significant predictor. Marital status significantly influenced life satisfaction for married women who were more likely to report the highest satisfaction. An interaction between retirement planning and marital status revealed that divorced women who had planned for retirement were more likely to report lower life satisfaction and less likely to report the highest level.  These findings reinforce the importance of both psychological and financial factors in determining life satisfaction and highlight the role of marital status in modifying these relationships. 

Accepted Oral Presentation