{
  "id": 19830094,
  "title": "Women Can’t Build Wealth by Putting Themselves Last | Opinion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/women-cant-build-wealth-by-putting-themselves-last-opinion",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-13T16:02:57.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Newsweek",
    "slug": "newsweek",
    "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/women-cannot-build-wealth-by-putting-themselves-last-financial-wellbeing-12710106"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The issue of women's financial wealth is often overlooked, with a common belief that financial literacy alone leads to financial success. However, this is not always the case. Women must not only understand concepts like Individual Retirement Accounts and 401(k) plans, but also know how to invest their money effectively. Simply contributing to an account does not guarantee wealth accumulation.\n\nA recent study by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave revealed that 61 percent of women feel more comfortable discussing their own death than finances. This reveals a significant gap in practical financial knowledge and understanding. Women often dedicate their lives to caring for others - managing households, children, aging parents, and careers - leaving their own financial needs on the backburner. This lack of focus can result in inadequate retirement planning, financial insecurity, and reduced career opportunities.\n\nThe economic impact of this is substantial. The Federal Reserve's 2025 household survey found that 37 percent of mothers with children under 13 were not working for pay, compared to 18 percent of fathers. When mothers do not work, childcare responsibilities are often cited as the reason. Additionally, missed promotions, undervalued salaries, or stalled career growth can lead to years of reduced earnings, missed retirement contributions, and slower future salary growth.\n\nFinancial independence is not only about personal financial security, but also about caring for one's family. In many cases, a mother's financial well-being affects decisions around working longer, providing financial support to children, and other household priorities. Ignoring financial planning can lead to financial anxiety that is passed down through generations, causing children to worry about utility bills and education costs.\n\nWomen must rethink the notion of 'putting themselves last' and understand that financial planning is an act of self-preservation and an investment in the people they love. It is crucial to seek help from financial professionals and take practical steps such as setting aside time each week to review financial accounts, understanding insurance options, and considering career opportunities that can impact long-term savings. Financial institutions must also play a role in making investment decisions more transparent and explaining the consequences of not having a financial strategy.\n\nWomen should redefine what it means to be a good mother, wife, or daughter by prioritizing their financial future. This not only benefits them personally, but also sets a positive example for their children, teaching them the importance of financial responsibility and creating a foundation of knowledge and confidence for the future.",
  "summary": "Women's own financial needs can become one more item on an already impossible to-do list.",
  "key_points": [
    "61% of women feel more comfortable discussing death than finances",
    "Women often prioritize others' needs over their own financial planning",
    "Financial independence benefits family and future generations"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}