Gender Divide Persists in Long-Term Financial Planning

The report, which surveyed 6,000 individuals across the UK, highlights that 53% of men lead on investments compared to just 34% of women. A similar disparity exists in retirement planning, where 48% of men take charge versus 32% of women. Despite women increasingly controlling both earned and inherited wealth, only half report feeling confident managing a significant windfall, and fewer than half feel comfortable adjusting their investment portfolios.

Professional guidance acts as a primary catalyst for closing this divide. Women who receive regular financial advice report markedly higher levels of confidence, with 82% feeling prepared to manage inheritances compared to 52% of those without guidance. Furthermore, those advised are nearly four times as likely to invest and twice as likely to maintain a formal financial plan. Claire Trott, head of advice at St James’s Place, notes that the issue is not a lack of interest, but rather a disconnect between managing daily cash flow and securing long-term assets. Bridging this gap requires advice that accounts for the specific realities of women’s financial lives, including career breaks and evolving family responsibilities.