On 8 March, people around the world will celebrate International Women’s Day. This important event recognises the achievements of women and raises awareness of ongoing gender equality issues.
Over recent decades, women have gained greater access to education and broader career opportunities, leading to higher earnings and business success.
According to the World Economic Forum, women are expected to hold 40% of global investable wealth by 2030. What’s more, research findings published by IFA Magazine reveal that in 2024, 53% of women reported feeling financially independent, which is an 8% increase from 2022.
And yet, in 2026, women continue to face unique financial challenges, meaning they often need to approach financial planning differently from men if they want to build lasting security.
Keep reading to learn about some of the financial barriers women face and find out how a financial planner could provide the bespoke guidance they need to take control of their wealth.
Women face unique financial challenges throughout their lives
Every woman’s financial circumstances, experiences, and needs are different. However, there are some common challenges many women share, including:
The gender pay gap
While the disparity between men’s and women’s pay has reduced over time, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS; 23 October 2025), the gender pay gap currently stands at 6.9%.
In other words, women still earn, on average, less than men for similar work, reducing how much they have to save and invest for the future.
The gender pensions gap
Findings from a recent University of Edinburgh study published by Pensions Age show that by age 60, men have, on average, nearly four times as much in their pension pots as women.
This could leave women with lower retirement incomes, which could limit their choice and independence. It could also increase their risk of running out of money later in life.
The financial confidence gap between men and women
Research by the charity National Numeracy reveals a persistent gender gap in financial confidence and numeracy. Nearly three times as many women (17%) as men (6%) reported low confidence in working with numbers. Additionally, just 77% of women said they feel confident making financial decisions, compared with 88% of men.
This gap in self-belief is particularly marked when it comes to investing. According to FTAdviser, only 33% of women are confident making investment decisions compared with 57% of men.
A lack of financial confidence could lead women to miss out on valuable opportunities to build and preserve wealth, potentially widening gender wealth gaps over time.
3 important ways a financial planner can support women to build and manage their wealth
Fortunately, there are steps women can take to overcome the challenges they face and build the financial futures they want.
Here are three crucial ways a financial planner can help:
1. Provide a clear picture of their current financial situation and future needs
A financial planner can use sophisticated cashflow modelling software to give their female clients a holistic overview of their current finances by mapping all income, outgoings, assets, and liabilities.
Knowing exactly where money is coming from and going to each month could highlight opportunities for redirecting unnecessary spending to savings, pensions, and other investments.
A financial planner can also project current cashflows forwards to help their clients understand future income needs, gauge their progress towards long-term goals, and address any potential shortfalls.
For example, if it looks like lower earnings or career breaks may result in a smaller pension pot than a woman is likely to need, a financial planner can test different strategies for catching up financially – such as increasing pension contributions or delaying retirement.
This approach could empower women to identify actionable steps for overcoming challenges and developing greater financial security.
2. Build their financial confidence and literacy
At Blue Wealth, we build lasting relationships with our clients through active listening, empathy, and tailored support. This starts with jargon-free conversations that help us learn about an individual’s needs, concerns, and life ambitions.
These discussions allow us to identify any gaps in knowledge, understanding, or self-belief that could be holding an individual back from progressing towards their financial goals.
Over time, our financial planners can bolster a woman’s financial literacy and confidence by:
- Prioritising key areas of learning and focusing on one at a time to avoid overwhelm
- Using visual tools, such as cashflow modelling, to explain an individual’s finances in an accessible way
- Creating a safe space in which women feel comfortable asking questions and sharing concerns
- Acknowledging milestones and celebrating progress.
As such, a financial planner can help women feel informed and in control, turning uncertainty into clarity.
3. Offer support during major life transitions
Life events such as divorce, career breaks, or changes in caring responsibilities could significantly affect a woman’s current and future finances.
A financial planner can offer both practical and emotional support during these major transitions, including:
- Acting as an impartial sounding board for female clients’ financial concerns
- Supporting women to plan financially for a career break
- Reviewing and adjusting financial plans in line with changed circumstances and goals
- Helping women understand their options and entitlements, such as those around pension sharing on divorce
- Advising on estate planning after a bereavement or a serious medical diagnosis
- Offering guidance on balancing financial responsibilities for children or elderly parents with a woman’s long-term goals
- Providing ongoing check-ins and support to rebuild confidence and independence.
As such, a financial planner can provide the continuity, reassurance, and guidance women need to take control of their wealth and maintain their financial resilience, whatever challenges they face.
Get in touch
If you’d like to find out more about how we can help you and the women in your family face their financial futures with confidence, please get in touch.
To find out more, please email hello@bluewealth.co.uk or call us on 0117 332 0230.
Please note
The content of this newsletter is offered only for general informational and educational purposes. It is not offered as, and does not constitute, financial advice.
Blue Wealth Ltd is not responsible for the accuracy of the information contained within linked sites.
Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate estate planning or cashflow planning.
A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until 55 (57 from April 2028). The fund value may fluctuate and can go down, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances. Thresholds, percentage rates, and tax legislation may change in subsequent Finance Acts.
The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Investments should be considered over the longer term and should fit in with your overall attitude to risk and financial circumstances.
Approved by best practice on: 19/02/26
