22 July 2026
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Almost half of couples (46%) do not share their financial planning equally and instead act alone
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Less than two in five (38%) of people in long-term relationships have sought financial advice with their partner
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Two-thirds (65%) of financial advisers reported that couples are more financially confident when they plan together
- Quilter has partnered with relationship therapist and star of Netflix’s Blue Therapy Karen Doherty to urge Brits to bring shared financial planning into their relationship and give their money a plan
Long-term couples are building their financial future separately, with experts warning that the trend could leave many, particularly women, at risk.
A new study from wealth manager Quilter suggests that long-term couples are increasingly planning their future finances independently and acting ‘financially single’ despite sharing every other aspect of their lives. Almost half (46%) of couples do not share financial planning equally, and in more than one in 10 (11%) relationships, one partner is solely responsible for financial planning.
Research shows that although 87% of couples who have been together for longer than three years have partially or completely combined their finances, less than two in five (38%) have sought financial advice together, indicating that while their day-to-day spending is combined, couples lack a shared financial plan.
Despite this, many are aware of the long-term emotional benefits. Two in five (42%) Brits in long-term relationships said that managing finances together can make a relationship feel stronger.
This problem disproportionately affects women. Women in long-term relationships are less likely to have a good understanding of their overall household finances (76% compared to 84% of men) and, more concerningly, 17% of women said they would not feel confident managing their finances independently if their relationship ended, compared to just 6% of men who felt the same.
This financial isolation within a relationship is a cause for concern, says relationship therapist and star of Netflix’s Blue Therapy Karen Doherty: “There are lots of reasons why someone might not feel comfortable joining in with financial planning in a relationship, but a lack of financial intimacy can create both an emotional divide and a power imbalance in a couple.
“A financial plan isn’t just about the numbers. It’s a shared picture of what you want your life to look like, and how you’re going to get there together.”
Of those who took a back seat in their household financial planning, more than half (57%) do so because they feel their partner understands it better. Despite this, one in seven (14%) would like to be more involved in their joint financial plan.
There are also consequences for the partner taking on the majority of the planning. For partners who did the majority or entirety of handling household finances, one in six (16%) found this burdensome, and 17% wish their partner was more involved in financial decision-making. The same proportion (17%) expressed concern that their partner does not fully understand their shared financial situation.
Megan Rimmer, chartered financial planner at Quilter, added: “Too many couples drift into managing money side by side rather than together, which can leave big decisions unspoken and one partner carrying more of the burden. Having a shared plan isn’t just about tax or investments; it’s about agreeing what you want your life to look like and making sure you’re both moving in the same direction.
“Planning as a couple can also help make better use of allowances and reliefs, and often leads to a more efficient overall approach than acting alone. For those who find these conversations difficult, speaking to a financial adviser can provide a neutral space to guide the discussion.”
Seeking financial advice or having open conversations about shared financial plans can have positive outcomes both emotionally and financially. The research showed that more than a third (35%) of people in long-term relationships took financial action they wouldn’t have taken alone after speaking to their partner, including investing more (46%), opening a new financial product (42%) and seeking financial advice (35%).
A further poll of financial advisers shows that the majority (57%) observed that joint planning leads to better or more ambitious financial decisions than either partner might have made alone. Almost two-thirds (65%) also reported that couples are more financially confident as a result of planning together.
Relationship expert Karen Doherty shares her top tips for starting the conversation around financial planning:
- Start with your values, not the numbers
Rather than opening with spreadsheets and figures, begin by talking about what you both want your life to look like. What does retirement mean to each of you? What does financial security feel like? When couples start with shared values rather than competing figures, the numbers become much easier to discuss.
- Name the feelings in the room
A lot of financial avoidance in relationships is really about anxiety, shame or a sense of not being capable enough. If one partner goes quiet or shuts down, it’s worth gently asking what’s happening for them – not pushing for answers, but creating enough safety for feelings to surface. You cannot build a financial plan on top of unspoken fear.
- Get a neutral third party involved
Sometimes the most useful thing a couple can do is invite someone else into the conversation. A financial planner can help to create a neutral space, slow the conversation down, and ensure you both feel heard. If talking about money at home tends to turn into an argument, that’s not a personal failing. It’s a signal that you might benefit from some structured support.
