Men Still Make the Financial Decisions in Most Couples: UBS

Seven in 10 men and nearly half of women in a new survey from UBS report that the husband takes responsibility for long-term financial decisions, such as investing and financial and estate planning.

Virtually all couples surveyed agreed that women should be involved in long-term finances, and the vast majority said that unless they are so involved, gender equality will never come to pass. Yet only 20% of women and men said they make decisions together.

UBS found that 82% of women defer to their spouse because they believe they lack the knowledge to participate in financial decisions, and 95% of men agreed this is so. Couples also largely agreed that women have little interest or time to take part, as they largely shoulder the burden of household responsibilities.

Furthermore, 7 in 10 men said they do not trust their spouse to make good choices and, in the event of divorce, believe they are in a better position to protect their assets if they are the lead decision-maker.

About half of women said they feel as if the couple's assets belong to the husband.

"It's hard to believe that in 2021 only 20% of couples are equal partners in investing," Paula Polito, divisional vice chairwoman at UBS Global Wealth Management, said in a statement. "Old gender norms and stereotypes still hold too many women back."

UBS surveyed 493 women and 1,008 men from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1. Those between 25 and 30 had at least $250,000 in investable assets, those 31 to 39 had at least $500,000 and those 40 and older had at least $1 million in investable assets.

Millennial Enigma

UBS reported a surprising finding in its survey of millennials, given the generation's focus on equality. Wealthy millennial women defer financial decision-making to their spouses, more so than any other age group.

Half of millennial women said their husband is responsible for long-term finances, and three-quarters of men agreed that they take the lead. Surveyed before marriage, 9 in 10 millennial women said they intend to be financially engaged.

At the same time, UBS noted that this generation is seemingly the most open to change.

Ninety-four percent of millennial men said they want their wives to be more involved in financial decisions, and 69% of millennial women who defer to their spouse also said they want to be more involved.

Differing Perceptions

The survey turned up gaps in perception and a lack of communication among couples, which can prevent them from making long-term financial decisions together.

Sixty-nine percent of men said that they take the lead on long-term financial decisions, and just 11% said women take the lead. Yet the report found that 30% of women said that they do, a 19-point gap in perception.

Nine in 10 men who take the lead said they want their wife to be more involved in long-term financial decisions, but only 57% of women who defer said they wish to be more involved.

UBS noted that the benefits of collaboration could be significant. Seven in 10 couples said sharing responsibilities in financial decisions would foster a better sense of financial security and make them feel more confident in their financial futures.

Eight in 10 women believed that equal involvement would make them feel more prepared if something should happen to their husband, such as disability, illness or death.