It’s 2025, and while many strides have been made towards gender equality, one stubborn gap remains - the way women talk about money and pensions. In fact, according to a study by Hearst UK, women aged 18-34 are more comfortable talking about mental health than they are their finances.
Despite women being better savers and investors than men, steering clear of financial conversations comes at a large financial cost for women - in missed opportunities, lower pensions, and financial insecurity later in life.
It’s time for that to change. Here’s why women should embrace open conversations about money and pensions in 2025, and how to start talking.
It’s essential for breaking the taboo - and the financial gender gap
Money talk has long been taboo. Many of us grew up in households where discussion around salaries, investments and pensions were silenced. The stereotype of the ‘good girl’ who doesn’t concern herself with ‘complex’ matters like money remains for women, whilst men are often encouraged to be assertive and take charge of their finances.
This has infiltrated the financial gender gap. According to research by Boring Money, women are missing out on a potential £567 billion - which is greater than the GDP of Poland. This confidence gap perpetuates disparities like the investing gap, where there are an estimated 6.8 million female investors compared to 9.9 million male investors. The same logic applies for budgeting, salary negotiations and pensions – if women don’t talk about them, these gaps will just keep widening. So talking openly about money isn’t just empowering, it’s essential.
Why pensions should be part of the conversation
Pensions might not seem like the most glamorous topic to discuss at brunch, but they’re crucial. PensionBee’s research revealed a 38% gap between male and female pension pots, with women averaging £14,631 and men averaging £23,474. This can be for many reasons including women being more likely to work part-time, take career breaks to raise children or care for elderly relatives, and live longer than men.
So by not discussing pensions more openly, women miss out on opportunities to make informed choices, like:
opting into a workplace pension scheme;
exploring private pension options.
By normalising conversations about money and pensions, women can share tips, highlight pitfalls, and support each other in planning for the future. So let’s get started.
How to build confidence around money talk
Talking about money might feel uncomfortable at first, but practice makes perfect. Here are some tips to help get the conversation flowing:
1. Find a money buddy
Everything feels easier with a friend, right? Choose someone you trust and agree to share your financial goals, worries, or questions. You don’t have to reveal every tiny detail - just start with small steps. For example, you could discuss how much you’re contributing to your pension each month or compare pension providers.
2. Join women’s financial communities
There are plenty of online forums and social media groups, such as Girls That Invest, Vestpod, Financielle and Talented Ladies Club where women can discuss finances in a supportive environment. These open spaces are perfect for learning from others and finding inspiration.
3. Turn money talk into a social activity
Why not combine finances with fun? Host a money-themed book club or ‘pensions and prosecco’ evening where friends can learn and share knowledge. Keeping the atmosphere casual can help ease any awkwardness you might feel around money talk.
4. Start with hypotheticals
If diving into your own financial details feels too personal, start with hypothetical scenarios. For example, “if you won £10,000, what would you do with it?” or “if you had to retire tomorrow, would your pension cover your needs?” These conversations can naturally lead to more personal (and light-hearted) money discussions.
5. Educate yourself together
If pensions or investments feel overwhelming, team up with a friend to learn. Attend a workshop or take an online course together. Sharing the learning process can make it feel a lot less daunting. You could always start with following a financial influencer or listening to a podcast to get inspired.
The benefits of money conversations
Talking about money isn’t just about numbers - it’s about empowerment. When women share financial knowledge, they can:
Boost confidence - knowledge is power and understanding finances can help women feel more secure and in control.
Break down barriers - open conversations help to challenge the societal norms that keep women in the dark about money matters.
Create opportunities - sharing tips and experiences can lead to better financial decisions. Whether it’s negotiating a salary, investing wisely, or maximising pension contributions.
Build community - talking about money fosters a sense of solidarity and support, showing women they’re not alone in facing financial challenges.
Looking ahead
By talking more openly about money and pensions, women can take control of their financial futures and close the gender wealth gap for good. It starts with one simple step - opening the conversation. Whether it’s with a friend over coffee, a colleague at work, or a group of like-minded women online, every conversation helps to change the narrative. Because when women talk about money, women’s financial futures become stronger.
Maria is a Freelance Editor and Writer who previously worked as Global Editor at Female Invest. Her writing focuses on gender equality in finance. She’s also written for a variety of other publications including Harper’s Bazaar, The Telegraph, inews, Metro, Glamour and more.
Risk warning
As always with investments, your capital is at risk. The value of your investment can go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you invest. This information should not be regarded as financial advice.
