03/11/2026
The gender pay gap is stubbornly high, with women receiving an average of 7% less than men for full-time work. Women are also more likely than men to take career breaks to care for family members. Both factors play a big part in causing further financial inequality during women’s lives.
But women live longer than men, on average, (83 years for women and 79 years for men1), so arguably they need even more pension saving to last them through retirement.
How can women go about closing the financial gaps? Being aware of the problem is the first step. Understanding the challenges can then help women work towards financial resilience. This might be through having a clear plan, taking action and regularly reviewing their situation to keep on track.
The gender pay gap is stubbornly high, with women receiving an average of 7% less than men for full-time work. Women are also more likely than men to take career breaks to care for family members. Both factors play a big part in causing further financial inequality during women’s lives.