Finding financial fairness: supporting women in later life divorce

Mind the gap

Research from 1984 showed that almost half (49%) of the UK population thought that a woman’s ‘place’ was to look after the home and family¹. Fortunately, attitudes to women in the workforce have changed drastically since then.

In 2023, the number of women in employment in the UK reached 72.1%, compared to 78.1% of men²; a figure that was just 52.8% when records began in 1971³. Despite this progress, the gender pay gap remains of 7.7%, with the gap at its widest for women over
40³.

The motherhood penalty

Beyond the gender pay gap and the glass ceiling, social inequality has had a lasting effect on the finances of women, especially mothers. Women who take time out of work to raise children, not only have less financial independence as a result, but also face more barriers when returning to work, because of a perceived skills gap, a changing environment and prejudice.

For women who divorce in later life, this inequality is amplified, as they often absorb most of the financial risk.

Waiving rights to pensions

On average, a woman now in her 50s in the UK will retire with approximately £39,654 of pension savings. By comparison, men of this age group will retire on average with the more comfortable sum of £84,205⁴.

Despite the inequalities women face as a result of financial sacrifices they have endured, our research shows that 31% of women over the age of 50 still choose to waive their rights to their partner’s pension as part of a divorce settlement⁵.

How advisers can help

Only 12% of people who divorced over 50 consulted a financial adviser during the divorce process, but advisers play an essential role in helping a couple find financial fairness5. This support can be particularly beneficial to women, 25% of whom said they were financially worse off in the year following their divorce, compared to just 16% of men⁵.

• Develop professional relationships with solicitors

The earlier an adviser can be involved in divorce proceedings, the more value they can add. A solicitor can provide a referral to a divorcing client, so the adviser can engage at a stage where they can help the woman build a stable financial future.

Interested in building professional connections but unsure how to get started? Download our range of outreach templates.

• Create an environment of trust

Divorce can take a significant emotional toll on clients. An adviser must be sensitive and empathetic to the specific needs and circumstances of each individual client, while providing clear explanations and rationale about the advice process.

• Identify the financial options that would be right for your client

Tackle the taboo around pension splitting and sharing options, by having open and honest discussions with your client. Understand their unique financial situation and help them visualise the long-term financial impact of their financial decisions.

Get in touch

We specialise in helping advisers support their clients to achieve their financial goals in retirement.

If you’d like to discuss how you can support your client during a later life divorce, please contact your account manager.

Contact us

Our references

¹ONS (2019) Women’s labour market participation – Long-term trends in UK employment: 1861 to 2018

²Employment rate in the United Kingdom from 1st quarter 1971 to 4th quarter 2023, by gender 

³ONS (2022) Gender pay gap in the UK: 2023

⁴Legal & General 2024 -Gender pension gap

⁵Opinium Research ran a series of online interviews among a nationally representative panel of 2,000 UK adults aged 50+ who are divorced 20^th-30^th November 2023