UBS Investor Watch: Own your worth

For our latest Investor Watch, we researched extensively how women worldwide engage with their finances.

We wanted to know: How do women around the world approach their financial well-being? Are they fully engaged in the financial decisions that affect them? And if not, why not?

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Here's what we discovered…

Current situation

Women are realizing their long-term financial needs are important…

Lifespans are increasing worldwide – and many women expect to live a long life. For example, 68% predict they will outlive their spouse. Knowing they may live longer, women feel their long-term financial needs are more important.

Women are aware they may live a long life

… but they are opting out of long-term financial decisions

Globally, women know living longer might affect their finances, they tend to deal more with short-term financial tasks, such as managing the household’s daily expenses and paying bills. But in Brazil, 55% of women lead or share the way on long-term financial decisions like investing and insurance in comparison with 58% globally.

Many women in Brazil get involved in decisions on long-term finances

Role in long-term investment and financial planning decisions

Why do so many women focus on their short-term finances and not their long-term needs?

Find out here

Learn more about the situation right now

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Find your voice

Start a conversation with your partner

Some couples feel uncomfortable talking about money. But ask yourself, if you found yourself alone tomorrow, what steps would you take to make sure you were financially secure? Even if you’re single, talking openly with a friend or financial advisor you trust could change your life for the better.

Are you ready to own your worth? Talk to your UBS client advisor.

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Reasons why

Many women fall into traditional gender roles

There are many reasons why women leave decisions on investing and planning finances to their spouses. For 93% of Brazilian women who defer to their husbands, the main reason is that they think their husbands know more about long-term finances and investments.

There are many different reasons why women leave long-term financial decisions to their spouse…

Percentage of women in Brazil who state the following as reasons for not getting involved

… and many turn to others for help when they suddenly become single

Percentage of divorced and widowed women in Brazil who turn to others for support on financial needs

Why is failing to plan for the future so risky?

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How do the reasons differ worldwide?

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Be confident

Although women and men say they are confident when making decisions, there is still a high percentage of women who underestimate their abilities and overestimate what it takes to be involved in long-term financial decisions. They usually also think men are more knowledgeable on the topic. But getting involved doesn’t mean you need to be an expert. It just means taking the step and becoming more aware.

Are you ready to own your worth? Talk to your UBS client advisor.

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Advice

Many women regret not getting involved earlier in major financial decisions

Women often don’t realize the risks of not getting involved in major financial decisions until they divorce or their spouse dies. 74% of Brazilian widows and divorcees were surprised about finances after they divorced or their spouse passed away.

But women don’t need to do it alone. In fact, women who approach long-term decisions in partnership with their spouses report soaring levels of satisfaction. 95% of Brazilian women who shared decisions have high confidence in the future, feel less anxious about money (95%) and make fewer financial mistakes (95%).

With this in mind, eight in ten widows and divorcees (84%) in Brazil advise other women to get involved in their household finances. A similar percentage (88%) also recommend women educate themselves about finances to prepare for all possibilities.

Women who participate with spouses equally enjoy the benefits of shared decisions…

Percentage of Brazilian women who approach long-term decisions in partnership with their spouses

… that lead them to recommend married women take control of their finances

Percentage of Brazilian widows and divorcees who recommend the following to married women

What does Édéenne advise?

The founder and CEO of Maison Édéenne had a hard time learning how to deal with her finances when she divorced. Watch the video.

How do younger women plan their finances?

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Own your worth

Know where you stand today and what you want for the future

Take the time to add up your assets and liabilities like loans, credit and other debts, and ask your partner to be clear about them.

Ask yourself some questions to better understand your needs

What do you want to accomplish in life?
Who are the people who matter most to you?
What do you want your legacy to be?
What are you most worried about?
How do you plan to achieve your goals?
Are you ready to own your worth? Talk to your UBS client advisor.

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Want to know more about the findings in other regions?

Global findings

Americas

Asia

Europe

If you want to know more

Come and see us so we can find out more about what matters to you.

About the survey: As women’s life expectancies increase and divorce rates remain high, more women may find themselves solely responsible for their own finances. UBS Global Wealth Management embarked on research to gauge women’s level of and satisfaction with their financial involvement. From September 2017 to January 2019, UBS surveyed 3,652 women. Of these women, 2,251 were married with at least $1m in investable assets. Others (1,401) were either divorced or widowed within the last five years. These women had at least $250k in investable assets. UBS also conducted in-depth interviews with 71 female respondents. The entire global sample was split across nine markets: Brazil, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Singapore, Switzerland, Italy, the UK and the US.

Look more closely at the findings

Talk to your UBS client advisor