If you’re a woman over 40 and feel behind financially, you’re not imagining it — and you’re definitely not alone.

Despite decades of hard work, leadership, caregiving, and resilience, wealth gaps for women continue to limit financial freedom and future security — especially after midlife.

The truth? Wealth gaps for women are about much more than unequal pay. They reflect years of inequality in opportunity, investment, and confidence. But here’s the good news — it’s never too late to take back control and build real wealth.

This guide unpacks:

• What wealth gaps for women really mean
• Why these gaps widen after 40
• Five practical, powerful steps to help you start closing your personal wealth gap

Let’s dive in.

What Are Wealth Gaps for Women?

Wealth gaps for women refer to the disparity between what women own compared to men — from cash savings and pensions to property, stocks, and long-term investments.

While the gender pay gap focuses on income, wealth gaps for women are about the ability to build, grow, and retain wealth over time. This is about long-term security, legacy, and freedom — and the numbers don’t lie.

Why Wealth Gaps for Women Widen After 40

Turning 40 should mark a time of power, confidence, and possibility — yet for many women, it also exposes financial vulnerabilities.

Here are five major contributors to wealth gaps for women, especially after midlife:

1. Pay Disparities That Compound Over Time

Even in 2025, women earn less than men — with women making roughly 83 cents to every dollar. Black and Latina women often face even wider gaps. Over time, this affects savings, pension contributions, and investments.

2. Career Breaks for Caregiving

Whether raising children, caring for aging parents, or supporting others, women often pause or scale back their careers — leading to lost income, reduced promotions, and missed retirement contributions.

3. The Investment Gap

Research shows women invest up to 40% less than men during their lifetime. That means less long-term growth — and a key reason wealth gaps for women persist.

4. Lack of Financial Confidence

Many women feel uncertain or overwhelmed by financial planning and investing — often due to a lack of representation, access, or early financial education.

5. Longer Life Expectancy

Women typically live longer — yet often retire with less. That’s a double bind: more years, but fewer resources.

The Real Impact of Wealth Gaps for Women

The consequences of wealth gaps for women go far beyond bank balances. They impact:

• Your ability to retire securely
• Your power to leave toxic jobs or relationships
• Your freedom to travel, give back, or rest
• The legacy you build — not just for family, but for yourself

Wealth is power. And every woman deserves access to it.

5 Steps to Bridge Wealth Gaps for Women Over 40

Here are five practical, empowering ways to start closing wealth gaps for women — no matter your starting point:

1. Know Your Numbers

Awareness is power. Start by:

• Calculating your net worth (assets – liabilities)
• Reviewing your monthly income, expenses, and savings
• Using tools like Mint, YNAB, or a simple spreadsheet

You can’t grow what you don’t track.

2. Increase Your Income

There’s no shame in wanting more.

• Ask for a raise or promotion
• Monetize your expertise (consulting, digital products, side hustles)
• Explore passive income opportunities

Your earning power isn’t fixed — it’s flexible.

3. Invest with Confidence

You don’t need to be an expert to start.

• Open an investment account (ISA, Roth IRA, SIPP, etc.)
• Start with index funds or robo-advisors
• Automate your investments — even £/€100 a month compounds over time

Investing is an act of self-respect.

4. Protect Your Wealth

Build a safety net while building wealth.

• Contribute consistently to your pension
• Review your insurance (life, health, income protection)
• Create or update your will
• Set aside 3–6 months of expenses

Protection is a powerful form of planning.

5. Educate Yourself Financially

Confidence follows knowledge.

• Read one personal finance book per quarter
• Listen to women-led finance podcasts
• Join financial communities or workshops
• Follow financial educators who speak your language

Financial literacy = financial freedom.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Build Wealth

Wealth gaps for women may be the result of systemic inequality — but we don’t have to stay stuck in the story.

Every time you track your money, ask for a raise, invest with confidence, or choose to learn more — you close that gap.
Bit by bit. Brick by brick.

You’re not behind. You’re powerful — and just getting started.