Investopedia
By Beverly Bird
August 27th, 2025
Baby boomers are expected to pass down $124 trillion by 2048, and women are positioned to inherit much of that wealth. But many say they feel unprepared to manage an inheritance.
Key Takeaways
- More than 80% women say they don’t feel confident managing an inheritance.
- Half believe it’s morbid to discuss estate planning with their parents, but knowing details early can be crucial.
- Experts recommend waiting three months to a year before making major decisions with inheritance money.
- A financial professional can provide guidance and support.
What the Statistics Say
The Citizens Great Wealth Transfer Survey, conducted from Jan. 22 through Feb. 3, 2025, found that 84% of women—compared to 73% of men—doubted their ability to manage an inheritance confidently.
A 2025 UBS survey indicated that 80% of women who had inherited from a parent reported facing challenges as they attempted to deal with the money, and 74% of those who hadn’t yet inherited are unprepared.
Research from the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) shows that just 51% of women under 35 feel confident in their understanding and management of wealth.
Why Are Women Anxious?
“Women often lack confidence in managing finances simply because they lack experience,” said Rachael Burns, certified financial planner (CFP) and founder of True Worth Financial Planning. Burns specializes in helping newly single women who are managing finances independently for the first time.
“Many women delegate managing the finances to their partner,” Burns said. “They can start to think they’re ‘clueless with money’ after many years of not needing to be involved, as if it’s a permanent trait. It’s not a reflection of their abilities, though. They’re just out of practice.”
There’s also an emotional factor. UBS found that about half the women feel it’s morbid to talk about estate planning with their parents.4 A significant 80% of them reportedly struggled with handling their inheritances as a result.
“Don’t make any big decisions until you have all the facts,” Burns said. “Many women will use their inheritances to make a big purchase or a generous gift to family members before they fully understand their new financial situation. Sometimes they overestimate how much ‘extra’ money they can afford to spend or give away, not realizing that they need the money to cover their basic needs.”
