Workplaces have a direct role to play in closing the gender wealth gap, according to new research from Octopus Money. The survey of 1,000 UK adults finds that women hold on average 21% less wealth than men — across pensions, savings and investments combined — a gap that doubles to 42% by age 64.(1)

The same research shows that financial planning support, which can be offered as a staff benefit, can materially change these outcomes. After receiving financial planning, the proportion of women whose work performance is affected by financial stress falls from 32% to 20%, and money anxiety drops from 53% to 36%. Women’s investment participation more than doubles, from 22% to 50%, surpassing the male average of 37%. The proportion of women who feel the financial system is not designed for them falls from 46% to 20%.

Retention is also affected. 76% of employees who receive financial advice through work say it makes them more likely to stay with their employer.

How the gap develops across women’s careers

The research, published in Beyond Pay Equality: How Financial Planning Can Close the Gender Wealth Gap, identifies the career stages at which the gap deepens most significantly.

Women are seven times more likely than men to step out of the workforce for caring responsibilities,(2) with 70% of these falling between the ages of 35 and 54 — precisely when earnings and pension contributions may be at their highest. Only 38% of women in this age group feel confident about their financial future, compared with 56% of men.

From age 55, menopause becomes a further factor, with 45% of women reporting that symptoms negatively affect their work. Female financial confidence at this stage falls to 35%, while male confidence rises to 58%.

Overall, just 29% of women invest compared to 47% of men, and only 17% of women feel the financial system was designed with them in mind vs 29% of men. 39% of women are not confident they understand how their pension contributions will affect their future, against 22% of men.

Employer case studies

Law firm Browne Jacobson and energy software business POWWR have both introduced one-to-one financial coaching for employees through Octopus Money. At POWWR, 25% of staff had engaged with the service within weeks of launch, including two employees on maternity leave. One used the support to model the financial implications of returning to work full-time versus part-time.

Clair Staines, Chief People Officer at POWWR, said: “We made financial wellbeing a leadership priority after recognising that money worries affect employees differently across life stages and salaries, and we know that they can be particularly prevalent for women. The wealth gap widens at exactly the moments when female employees are most stretched. Financial knowledge gives women control, and with control comes confidence.”

Adam Fox-Everitt, Head of Reward at Browne Jacobson, said: “Women are more likely to experience interruptions for caring responsibilities, career gaps, or the financial impact of the menopause, making education around pensions and long-term wealth-building particularly important. What we value most about Octopus Money is that it helps people build self‑sufficiency and lasting financial habits, rather than simply addressing immediate problems. We’ve seen the difference that makes.”

Laura Noble, Head of Employer Success, Octopus Money: “Financial insecurity shapes how employees show up at work. When women lack financial confidence they are less likely to pursue leadership roles, take career-enhancing risks, or remain with an organisation. Closing the gender wealth gap is a moral issue, and a talent and retention imperative.”

ENDS

Notes:

1. Research carried out by Censuswide on behalf of Octopus Money. Fieldwork took place in February 2026, polling a nationally representative sample of 1,000 UK adults, split equally by gender.
2. tuc.org.uk/news/women-7-times-more-likely-men-be-out-work-due-caring-commitments 

Research can be found in detail in Beyond pay equality: How financial planning can close the Gender Wealth Gap, a report by Octopus Money. Wherever research is cited without a footnote in the release, it is taken from the research carried out by Censuswide on behalf of Octopus Money. Fieldwork took place in February 2026, polling a nationally representative sample of 1,000 UK adults, split equally by gender.

Table of women’s investment participation:

	No advice	With full advice
Women who invest	22%	50%
Men who invest (average)	37%	61%

About Octopus Money: octopusmoney.com

Octopus Money is a new kind of financial wellbeing benefit – combining the best of humanity, smart technology and investment expertise. We work with 265 UK employers across more than 40 sectors to give people access to one-to-one, personalised financial help through their workplace.

After just three sessions, 61% of employees say they worry about money less often, and customers working with Octopus Money are on track to retire £300,000 better off.

Part of the Octopus Group, winner of Boring Money’s Low Cost Advice Firm of the Year and a certified B Corp, Octopus Money is committed to doing the right thing for customers, advisers and the future we all share.