George Pullar, Partnership Development Manager, LV= 

Women play a significant role in wealth creation, accounting for 40% of economic growth since 2020 (GOV.UK, 2025) and make up 20% of UK business owners (Women and Equalities Committee, 2025), yet our research reveals that, for some women, financial confidence is often challenged at the moments when decisions become complex, emotional or urgent. 

In our latest member community survey, we asked our members how they feel about inheritance and financial matters now and in later life. 

Less than 1 in 3 feel confident about managing an inheritance

Nearly half of women surveyed had already received (or expected to receive) an inheritance or significant financial gift, but only 28% said they would feel ‘very confident’ managing £50,000 or more if they received it tomorrow. This is compared with 51% of men.

These findings suggest advisers should not wait for clients to raise questions. Clear prompts to consider the client’s wider family position and make a plan for a potential inheritance early can help turn uncertainty into action and mitigate the vulnerability this sudden wealth may bring. It also points to a need for conversations that build confidence as well as technical understanding of the obligations and options an inheritance brings.

Only 15% have thought in detail about funding later-life care

Later-life care is another important planning gap. While 69% of women had thought at least a little about how they would fund care, only 15% had considered it in detail and a further 25% had not considered it at all. Confidence also falls when care decisions become real: just 47% of women felt confident making major financial decisions when moving into care or arranging care for a family member.

For women, who outnumber men in care homes, later-life care is an essential consideration. It presents an opportunity for advisers to build trust and strengthen the relationship by having this conversation early.

46% of women feel confident making decisions after the death of a partner

Major life events expose further confidence gaps. Women were significantly less likely than men to feel confident making financial decisions after bereavement, and only 62% felt confident about retirement decisions, compared with 81% of men.

Bereavement is a well-recognised point of vulnerability, and while it’s important the relationship has been nurtured before it happens, it is also a time when advisers can add real value by helping clients understand options, prioritise needs and avoid rushed decisions.

54% of women say menopause’s financial impact is underestimated

The research also highlights the impact perimenopause symptoms can have, and the opportunity for financial advisers who understand it.

More than half of women agreed that the impact on financial wellbeing is underestimated, with some reporting effects on confidence, work, earnings, career progression, pension saving or day-to-day spending.

It’s clear that women are generating, inheriting, influencing and deciding the future of family wealth, but the confidence gap between male and female clients may be wide, leading to weaker advice relationships.

Key life events can both expose these confidence gaps and create new vulnerabilities. For advisers, there is an opportunity to provide technical expertise, but also to help clients navigate these moments with greater clarity and confidence.

Our female members told us their ideal adviser would be friendly, empathetic and patient, and would avoid jargon (LV= member survey, 2025). It was clear that, when it comes to the moments that matter, like inheritance, care, bereavement or retirement, they wanted their adviser to focus on proactive, practical conversations that allow them to consider their options and build on their own understanding.

By recognising the triggers that can affect decision-making and having these proactive conversations, advisers can build stronger relationships and deliver greater value when it matters most.

For more information on how women shape wealth and what it means for your business, visit our Invest in Women page.

Source: LV= Member Community survey, September 2026.