Financial Independence – The Ultimate Power Move for Women

Financial planning is so much more than just numbers, it’s about lifestyle, freedom, security, and having the confidence to live your life the way you want to.

International Women’s Day is a celebration of progress, but while we recognise achievements, we also see that women still face significant challenges in the areas of financial confidence and equality.

A strong financial plan is about ensuring that your money works for you, so you have the freedom to live life on your own terms. That might mean switching careers, starting a business, building wealth, or simply feeling secure about your future and retirement.

At Everlake, we help successful women take control of their finances through clear, practical advice tailored to their lives and ambitions.

Let’s explore why financial planning is one of the most empowering moves you can make.

Earning What You’re Worth & Making It Work for You

The gender pay gap is improving, but on average women still earn less than men over their lifetimes. This makes smart money management not just important, but essential.

What you can do today:

• Negotiate your salary – research your worth and ask for it confidently. Don’t fall victim to imposter syndrome.
• Invest in yourself – professional development and education can increase your earning potential.
• Build long-term wealth – pension planning and investing wisely ensures your money grows over time.

A Longer Life Needs a Longer Financial Plan

Women have a longer life expectancy than men, meaning that we need to plan for your retirement savings to stretch further. Yet, many women contribute less to pensions due to lower salaries, career breaks or caregiving responsibilities.

How to plan ahead:

• Maximise pension contributions – take full advantage of employer pension schemes, employer contributions and the tax benefits of making pension contributions.
• Invest for long-term growth – let compound interest work in your favour. Start pension planning and investing as early as is feasible for you.
• Ensure financial independence – whether single, co-habiting or married, ensure you’re fully informed on the structure, progress and implications of all assets that you hold or that may directly impact you.
• Realistic planning – while we often hate to think about losing a partner or a spouse, it is only sensible to consider your situation in these circumstances.

Be very careful if you are relying on a single income into your household and consider insurance for situations where this income might be jeopardised.

During retirement, if you are living off the income from one private pension fund, such as an approved retirement fund (ARF) or an annuity in a single person’s name that is not yours, you should make a plan for what will happen when this payment stops or is suspended due to the account or annuity holder passing away.

Don’t leave the planning to someone else – be that a spouse or a financial adviser. While you may fully trust another person to carry out the management of your finances, it’s always essential to stay informed and add your perspective to the conversation.

Life Happens, Be Financially Ready

Women often step away from work for life events such as maternity leave, career breaks or to care for a loved one. Without a financial plan, these interruptions can make a big negative impact.

How to stay financially prepared:

• Build an emergency fund – aim to have 3-6 months of expenses saved in an easily accessible deposit account.
• Create a plan for career breaks – factor time away from work into your financial goals.
• Stay engaged with finances – if in a relationship, ensure you understand joint assets and investments.
• Pension structures – where possible, make sure that you have your own pension in your name to provide an income in later years.

We help women create flexible financial plans that adapt to career shifts, family changes, and unexpected events.

Women Are Great Investors

Studies show that women are actually more successful investors than men. Research from Warwick Business School found that women’s investment portfolios outperform men’s by an average of 1.8% annually, thanks to a more patient, long-term approach.

How to start investing with confidence:

• Review your current savings & pension – ensure that your assets are structured in a way that aligns with your risk capacity and long-term financial plans.
• Stay informed – learning about investing is easier than ever with myriad resources across the web. If the vast amount of information seems daunting, we’ve condensed it down into the Everlake Guide to Investing in Ireland here.
• Think long-term – avoid impulsive decisions and focus on long-term, sustainable growth.

Investing doesn’t have to be intimidating. Our financial planning services help women build investment portfolios that align with their goals, whether they’re just getting started or looking to grow their wealth.

Money Confidence = More Life Choices

Financial security isn’t just about numbers, it’s about having choices. When you manage your money well, you gain the power to:

• Change careers without fear
• Start a business with confidence
• Upskill or study something new
• Say ‘yes’ to opportunities that excite you

At Everlake, we help women to create financial plans that support your ambitions and lifestyle. Whether you need help with investing, pensions, or overall financial confidence, we’re here to help.