Video Own your worth

Why women should take control of their wealth to achieve financial well-being

Financial planning is a process of looking at your complete financial picture, determining where you want to go and coming up with a plan to help you get there.

Key Takeaways:

  • Most women know they’re living longer, but fewer than half are involved in long-term financial decisions.
  • Most women opt out because they think their spouse knows more.
  • Couples who share decisions equally are more confident about achieving financial goals.

A recent UBS Investor Watch, "Own your worth", explores how women around the world approach their financial well-being. Are they fully engaged in the financial decisions that affect them?

The answers are surprising. Almost all women globally are highly involved everyday finances, like expenses and bill paying. But almost 60% of women do not engage in the most important aspects of their financial well-being: investing, insurance, retirement and other long-term planning.

Why do so many women focus on the present but ignore the future? In the US, women opt out of long-term financial decisions because they believe their spouses know more. Regardless of the rationale, failing to plan for the future carries risk. As women around the world live longer, the likelihood of becoming widowed or divorced increases. Inevitably, women who plan for these possibilities will be better prepared.

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. Nearly all have high confidence in the future, feel less anxious about money and make fewer financial mistakes.

By sharing decisions jointly, both women and men can face the future with optimism—and set an example of financial partnership for generations to come.

Research from CIO GWM is provided by UBS Financial Services Inc. UBS Financial Services Incorporated of Puerto Rico is a subsidiary of UBS Financial Services Inc. In Canada, research from CIO GWM is provided by UBS Investment Management Canada Inc.

The views expressed in the research provided do not constitute a personal recommendation or take into account the particular investment objectives, investment strategies, financial situation and needs of any specific individuals. They are based on numerous assumptions. Different assumptions could result in materially different results. We recommend that you obtain financial and/or tax advice as to the implications (including tax) prior to investing.

UBS Financial Services Inc. is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an investment adviser and a broker-dealer. UBS Financial Services Incorporated of Puerto Rico is registered as a broker-dealer.

This is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as investment advice or the basis for making any investment decisions. It has not been prepared with regard to the specific objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any specific person. No representation or warranty, either express or implied, is provided in relation to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information contained herein. Any opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by other business areas or groups of UBS.

As a firm providing wealth management services to clients, UBS Financial Services Inc. offers investment advisory services in its capacity as an SEC-registered investment adviser and brokerage services in its capacity as an SEC-registered broker-dealer. Investment advisory services and brokerage services are separate and distinct, differ in material ways and are governed by different laws and separate arrangements. It is important that clients understand the ways in which we conduct business, that they carefully read the agreements and disclosures that we provide to them about the products or services we offer. A small number of our financial advisors are not permitted to offer advisory services to you, and can only work with you directly as UBS broker-dealer representatives. Your financial advisor will let you know if this is the case and, if you desire advisory services, will be happy to refer you to another financial advisor who can help you. Our agreements and disclosures will inform you about whether we and our financial advisors are acting in our capacity as an investment adviser or broker-dealer. For more information, please review the PDF document at ubs.com/relationshipsummary(PDF, 147 KB).

© UBS 2024. The key symbol and UBS are among the registered and unregistered trademarks of UBS. All rights reserved. UBS Financial Services Inc. is a subsidiary of UBS Group AG. Member FINRA. Member SIPC.