Life moves fast. With work, kids, elderly parents, and endless tasks to manage, financial planning usually takes a back seat. Women in the UK, in particular, face challenges in achieving financial security.

Surprisingly, a report from 2024 indicates that the gender pay gap for full-time workers in the UK stood at 7.0%. This is a slight decrease from the year before. The pay gap continues to restrict women’s ability to achieve long-term financial security.

We, at Poole Forum, are committed to helping you understand how national trends can impact local lives when it comes to money and long-term security.

So, the question is: what is happening here? Why do many women still have a gender gap in financial planning, and how can we address it without feeling overwhelmed?

Let’s unpack why this keeps happening and chat about a few easy ways to start turning things around. Keep reading.

The Numbers Say It All – And They Are Not Great

It is not just a feeling; the numbers demonstrate it.

Interestingly, a recent Now Pensions report found that women in the UK retire with an average of £136,000 less than men. Women have a typical pension fund of £69,000, while men have an average pension fund of £205,000. This is a huge gap.

It’s not only about pensions. Women are also less likely to have basic legal and financial planning in place. According to Lawson-West Solicitors, only 50% of women in the UK have a will, compared to 57% of men.

What’s more concerning? Abode Financial (2024) found that 42% of women risk living in poverty during retirement, while the figure is 35% for men.

These numbers highlight more than just financial issues; they reflect women’s freedom, security, and peace of mind in their later years.

Why Is There Still a Gap in 2025?

Caregiving and Interrupted Careers

Many women bear the main responsibility for caring for their families, including children, ageing parents, and partners. While caregiving brings essential benefits to society, it does not help in building a pension.

Additionally, caregiving often requires women to reduce their full-time work, making it more challenging to close the earnings gap.

Lower Lifetime Earnings

Part-time jobs, breaks in employment, and even unequal pay between genders continue to affect women’s lifetime earnings. Lower earnings normally result in smaller pension contributions, less disposable income for financial advice, and fewer resources for investments.

So, what is the result? There is less security, even for women who have worked hard for many years.

Confidence, Not Competence

Here is the twist: this is not about skill. It is about access and assurance.

Many women feel insecure about how to start financial planning. They might have relied on a partner in the past, or it all may seem overwhelming. This uncertainty mostly leads to delays; and delays cause problems.

Why Putting It Off Can Cost More Than You Think

Let’s be honest: most people do not like thinking about pensions or wills. But ignoring them won’t make the problems go away.

• Without a will, your belongings might not go to the people you want, even if you are married.
• If you have not checked your pension, you could discover too late that it won’t last as long as you need.
• Not setting up a power of attorney can put your family at risk of legal and financial trouble.

The key point? You need to protect your future self, and it starts with simple steps today.

Take One Small Step And Breathe

You can start planning for your finances without needing a spreadsheet or a financial advisor. Just focus on a straightforward task.

“We often work with women who know they need to plan but do not know where to begin,” says a spokesperson from Finli. “We start by helping them set up the essentials – like a simple will, pension review, or power of attorney, so they can feel more in control of their future, without feeling overwhelmed.”

Planning doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Here’s how you can do it step by step:

• Begin by talking about it.
• Schedule a meeting with your retirement fund provider.
• Make a list of your accounts.
• Create a savings container, either physical or digital.

Complete one small task this week, and you will be ahead of where you were yesterday.

Financial Planning Is About Choice And Not Money

Let’s look at this differently. Financial planning is about building wealth and having the independence to make well-informed decisions.

When your finances are stable, you don’t feel stuck in a job you dislike for fear of leaving. You don’t worry about what happens if your health changes. You don’t rely on someone else to handle everything.

It is really about freedom. And everyone deserves that.

The More We Talk, The Better It Gets

A good way to reduce this gap is to talk about it.

Share this post. Talk to your sister, mother, or closest friend. Bring it up at dinner, in your WhatsApp chat, or when you pick up your kids from school. The more people openly discuss planning, the more confident women will feel about it.

What if the people around you don’t have solutions? That’s okay. Ask for help. Some people and platforms understand this topic, and many are ready to connect with you without judging.

Final Thoughts

The financial gender gap may still be a problem in 2025, but it does not have to shape your future.

The numbers are worrying, and it can feel overwhelming. The good news is that you don’t have to tackle everything at once. Just take the first step. By doing this, you are building wealth and also gaining strength, confidence, and a genuinely personal future.