Divorce doesn’t just split assets—it often splits financial futures, too. And for women, that split tends to be a lot more one-sided.

Study after study shows that women take the biggest financial hit after divorce, while men often come out more financially stable. If you’ve ever wondered why that happens (or what you can do about it), let’s break it down.

1. Women’s Incomes Drop Way More Than Men’s

💰 The Reality: After divorce, women’s household incomes drop by 33% to 41%, while men’s only fall by 18% to 21%. (Legal & General, 2024).

💡 Why?

• The gender pay gap—women often earn less to begin with.

• Career interruptions—many women take breaks for caregiving, which affects long-term earning potential.

• Lower post-divorce earnings—women are more likely to take custody of kids, leading to career trade-offs.

Meanwhile, men (who are more likely to have been the primary earners) usually keep more of their pre-divorce income, which means their living standards don’t take the same hit. (Blaser Mills Law, 2024).

2. Women Often Walk Away From Retirement Assets (and That’s a Problem)

💰 The Reality: Women tend to waive their rights to their ex’s pension or retirement savings way too often.

💡 Why?

• Many women prioritize short-term stability (keeping the house, getting a lump sum) over long-term security.

• They assume they can rebuild retirement savings later—but the loss compounds over time.

• Some just don’t realize they have a legal right to part of the pension.

📉 The Result? Women retire with significantly less money than men, making them more financially vulnerable in later years. (Charles Stanley, 2024).

3. The “Fair” Split Often Isn’t Actually Fair

💰 The Reality: Women are more likely to:

✔️ Get a smaller share of assets (especially if they contributed less financially due to caregiving).
✔️ Take on more of the childcare load post-divorce (which can impact their career growth).
✔️ Need spousal maintenance—but not always get enough to cover the real cost of lost earning potential.

⚠️ The Problem?

• Women tend to prioritize peace over financial fairness—agreeing to settlements that don’t fully account for their contributions.

• Some don’t fight for what they’re entitled to because they feel guilty about leaving.

Meanwhile, courts are increasingly favoring financial independence—so long-term spousal support isn’t guaranteed, even when there’s a financial imbalance. (Smock, 1994).

4. Women Are More Likely to End Up in Financial Struggles

💰 The Reality: The income drop post-divorce increases women’s risk of:

✔️ Living paycheck to paycheck
✔️ Struggling to rebuild savings
✔️ Facing poverty later in life

📉 The longer-term impact? Women—especially those who took time off to raise kids—often find themselves starting over financially at a time when their earning potential is already capped.

How to Close the Divorce Gender Gap

🚀 So, what can women do to protect themselves?

✔️ Know your financial rights—Don’t waive pension or retirement assets without fully understanding the impact.
✔️ Think long-term—Don’t just fight for what you need now—think about financial security 10, 20, or 30 years down the road.
✔️ Get a financial expert on your side—Divorce isn’t just legal—it’s financial. A divorce financial planner can help you maximize your settlement.
✔️ Negotiate from strength, not guilt—If you were the breadwinner, remember: you carried this marriage financially. If you were the primary caregiver, your unpaid labor had value. Don’t give away more than you should.

The Bottom Line

💡 Divorce is a financial reset—but how you negotiate it determines whether you move forward secure or struggle to rebuild.

💛 If you need help figuring out what’s fair and how to protect your financial future, apply for coaching and see if our Divorce Readiness Program is right for you.

👉 Apply for Coaching Here