Women who spend years prioritising the needs of their families may be unknowingly sacrificing their own financial futures, with interrupted careers, lower retirement savings and delayed wealth creation leaving many at greater risk of financial insecurity in later life.
As South Africa marks Women's Month, Momentum is urging women to consider the long-term financial impact of unpaid caregiving, warning that years spent putting family first can quietly erode retirement security.
The financial services company, marking the eighth season of its She Owns Her Success campaign, said many women are celebrated for their resilience, adaptability and willingness to care for others. However, these same qualities can contribute to long-term financial vulnerability.
Momentum said retirement insecurity is often built over decades through decisions that appear practical at the time, such as reducing working hours, pausing careers to care for children or elderly relatives, or redirecting personal savings to cover household expenses and emergencies.
While these choices are often made out of necessity or love, they can come at a significant financial cost. Women who interrupt their careers may miss out on salary growth, employer pension contributions, investment returns and the long-term benefits of compound growth.
