Is the Future of Wealth Female?

The largest transfer of wealth in human history is already underway — and women are positioned at its center. Over the next 25 years, an estimated 70% of the $124 trillion Great Wealth Transfer will pass to women, fundamentally reshaping the financial landscape.

So, what does “the future of wealth is female” mean for financial planning?

• Women are becoming the primary wealth decision-makers
• Women’s financial priorities differ in meaningful ways
• Longevity and legacy planning require specialized experience
• The wealth management industry is adapting — but gaps remain

At Avidian Wealth Solutions, we help both women inheriting wealth and those passing it down navigate this historic transition with customized strategies designed to protect, grow, and purposefully transfer wealth. Schedule a conversation to discover how we can help you preserve your legacy and empower the next generation.

Is women’s wealth rising?

The data tells a clear story: women’s wealth is not only rising — it’s rising faster than the overall market. Between 2018 and 2023, global financial wealth increased by 43%, while the amount of wealth controlled by women rose by 51%. 

This isn’t a temporary spike. It’s a fundamental shift driven by women’s educational achievement translating into career advancement, increasing workforce participation, and record rates of business ownership. Women-led companies grew 17.1% from 2019 to 2024, giving women greater control over their earning potential and the ability to build equity in enterprises they create and lead.

What makes this moment particularly significant is the convergence of a few factors. Women are simultaneously building their own financial resources through careers and businesses while positioned to inherit substantial assets as part of the Great Wealth Transfer. Additionally, 69% of women now serve as their households’ primary financial decision-makers — making investment choices, retirement planning decisions, and strategic wealth moves that shape their families’ financial futures. 

Add women’s longer life expectancies to this equation, and you have a scenario where women will not only control more wealth in total, but can plan to control it for longer periods.

6 tips for wealth management for women

As a woman navigating today’s multifaceted financial landscape, you face both unique challenges and extraordinary opportunities. But making the most of these opportunities isn’t guaranteed — it’s built through knowledge, action, and the right support. 

Here are the steps you can take to help strengthen your financial position to work towards building lasting wealth on your own terms.

1. Build your investment knowledge and confidence

If you haven’t yet started investing beyond your savings, now is the time. Open a brokerage account, contribute meaningfully to your employer’s retirement plan, or explore investment options that align with your values and goals. 

Women in investing often bring a long-term, values-driven perspective that can be a significant advantage — but only if you’re actually invested. Seek out educational resources designed specifically for female investors, attend workshops on portfolio construction and asset allocation, or join investment clubs where you can learn alongside other women. Financial advice for women should empower you to understand not just what you’re investing in, but why those choices support your specific goals.

2. Take an active role in all financial decisions

As mentioned, women increasingly serve as their households’ primary decision-makers regarding financial investment choices. Whether you’re single, married, or partnered, you should have complete visibility into your financial life. Know where your accounts are held, understand the investment strategy behind your portfolio, and be present for meetings with financial advisors. 

If you’re married, insist on being an equal partner in financial planning conversations — not just informed, but actively involved in making decisions. High-net-worth financial planning should never happen without your full participation and understanding. Your financial security depends on your engagement, not your partner’s or advisor’s good intentions.

3. Plan strategically for your longer life and unique circumstances

Women live longer than men on average, and many face career interruptions for caregiving that impact long-term wealth accumulation. Your financial plan can account for these realities. Work with advisors who understand that your retirement could span decades, that you may need to support aging parents while raising children, and that healthcare and long-term care expenses will likely be substantial. 

Develop wealth preservation strategies that balance growth during your working years with income generation in retirement. Consider strategies like maximizing retirement contributions during high-earning years, purchasing long-term care insurance while you’re insurable, and structuring investments for sustained growth rather than just short-term performance.

4. Create a comprehensive estate plan that reflects your values

Many families delay creating estate plans, yet this is a critical component of your financial life. Work with an attorney and your financial advisor to establish proper estate planning techniques including wills, trusts, healthcare directives, and powers of attorney. 

Consider how you want to pass intergenerational wealth to your heirs — whether that’s through direct bequests, educational trusts, charitable giving, or other vehicles that reflect your priorities. Your estate plan should also address practical concerns like guardianship for minor children, business succession if you’re an entrepreneur, and strategies to minimize tax burdens on your heirs. Review and update these documents regularly as your life circumstances change.

5. Align your portfolio with your values and priorities

Women may approach investing with different priorities than men, potentially emphasizing long-term security, family needs, and values alignment over pure return maximization. Use this perspective as a strength. If sustainability matters to you, explore ESG investing options. If supporting women-led businesses aligns with your beliefs, communicate this to your advisors. If education funding, healthcare planning, or philanthropic giving are priorities, make sure your financial plan explicitly addresses these goals. 

Wealth management for women should be holistic — integrating your career trajectory, family responsibilities, philanthropic interests, and personal values into a cohesive strategy rather than treating investment returns as the sole measure of success.

6. Partner with advisors who understand your unique needs

The right advisory relationship can enhance your financial confidence and outcomes. Seek professionals who have demonstrated experience working with women, understand the specific challenges and opportunities you face, and respect your priorities and communication preferences. 

For families with substantial assets and complex needs, partnering with a boutique family office can offer comprehensive, coordinated oversight across different aspects of your financial life — from investment management to tax strategy to multigenerational planning. 

Most women express a strong desire to work with financial advisors to meet their goals. Choose advisors who ask about your complete life picture — your career ambitions, caregiving responsibilities, risk tolerance, and what financial security means to you personally — rather than applying one-size-fits-all solutions.

The future of wealth is female, but the industry still has work to do

The financial services industry has taken notice of women’s rising economic power, but recognition and action are two different things. Despite women controlling an increasing share of assets and gaining financial confidence, the wealth management industry has only marginally adapted to their needs, goals, and preferences. 

This disconnect has real consequences. Many women investors don’t feel understood by their financial advisors, and a significant number change advisors after major life events like widowhood. For women seeking financial guidance, this landscape means you need to be selective and intentional about who you work with. Look for advisors and firms that demonstrate — not just claim — they understand your unique circumstances, priorities, and goals.

Partner with advisors who aim to understand your goals and values

The convergence of the Great Wealth Transfer, women’s rising economic power, and increasing financial decision-making authority creates an unprecedented opportunity for women to plan to build, preserve, and transfer wealth on their own terms. But opportunity alone isn’t enough — it requires intentional planning, guidance, and a financial strategy designed around your unique needs and goals.

At Avidian Wealth Solutions, we help high-net-worth women across Houston, Austin, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands approach their wealth management options with confidence. Whether you’re building your wealth, inheriting assets, or planning to transfer your legacy to the next generation. Our team brings the experience and personalized approach that can help you make informed decisions and pursue your long-term financial goals.

Schedule a conversation with Avidian Wealth Solutions today to learn how we can help you take control of your financial future and contribute to a new era where the future of wealth is female.

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• What Does “Buy the Rumor, Sell the News” Mean?
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