Millennial women are getting started with investing nearly a
decade earlier than Boomer women, according to a new generational
analysis of data from Charles Schwab’s 2025 Women Investors Survey.
They are also investing in a broader and more complex range of
asset classes, have greater confidence in their investment
strategies, and are more likely to say they find investing fun and
empowering than older generations.
The survey of 1,200 American women investors who are primary or
joint financial decisionmakers in their households found that the
average age that Millennial women started investing is 27, as
compared to Gen Xers who started at 31 and Boomers at 36. Almost
one-third (31%) of Millennial women investors say they feel very
confident in their investing strategy while a quarter each of Gen X
women (26%) and Boomer women (26%) say the same.
Millennial women have come to investing with different
motivations and drivers than previous generations, according to the
survey. Less than half (47%) started primarily to save for
retirement whereas large majorities of Gen Xers (62%) and Boomers
(77%) cite retirement as their primary reason for getting started.
Millennial women are more likely than older generations to say they
got interested on their own or because they wanted to learn.
Why did you start investing?
Millennial women
investors
Gen X women investors
Boomer women investors
To save for retirement
47%
62%
77%
I became interested on my own
40%
34%
27%
I became eligible for an
employer-sponsored retirement account (e.g., 401(k), 403(b) or
457)
40%
45%
50%
To learn how to invest
36%
23%
11%
For fun
12%
8%
4%
Additionally, significantly higher numbers of Millennial women
say they enjoy investing and that it gives them a feeling of
empowerment. Millennial women are also more likely than older
generations to see themselves as “investors” and “traders.”
Millennial women
investors
Gen X women investors
Boomer women investors
Enjoy investing (strongly agree)
51%
39%
18%
Feeling of empowerment (strongly
agree)
56%
48%
28%
Consider myself an investor
73%
61%
47%
Consider myself a trader
37%
23%
11%
"These really positive shifts with young women investors mirror
what we see in our day-to-day work with clients,” said Jeannie
Bidner, Head of Schwab’s Branch Network, overseeing the firm’s
nearly 400 branch locations across 48 states. “Women are coming to
the table earlier, more prepared, and asking deeper questions,
which lead to more meaningful and personalized financial planning
conversations. From day one, Schwab’s mission has been about
empowering more people to get invested and reach their financial
goals by removing barriers and providing access to products,
education and services. We’re thrilled to see younger women own the
role of investor with confidence and are excited to support them in
shaping their futures.”
Doing it their way
The survey finds that Millennial women are more likely to
embrace a broader and more complex range of investments beyond more
traditional stocks and bonds, including cryptocurrencies, options
or futures, and alternative investments.
Currently or have previously
owned
Millennial women
investors
Gen X women investors
Boomer women investors
Cryptocurrencies
51%
31%
7%
Options or futures
28%
19%
10%
Alternative investments
24%
20%
8%
When it comes to their strengths as investors, all women
investors point to their patience and discipline, but Millennial
women notably also highlight their strategic planning skills and
open-mindedness.
Greatest investing strengths
Millennial women
investors
Gen X women investors
Boomer women investors
Patience
47%
50%
56%
Discipline
39%
48%
49%
Planning/Strategy
37%
32%
22%
Open-mindedness
35%
31%
20%
Knowledge
26%
20%
12%
Curiosity
21%
18%
9%
“Younger women investors are off to a good start when it comes
to embracing core investing principles like patience and
discipline, though there is room for them to continue to strengthen
those important characteristics, which often comes with time and
experience,” said Bidner. “What’s interesting, is that younger
women investors are more likely than older peers to be focused on
building their base of knowledge and thinking through their plan
and the options that are out there. It speaks to the heightened
level of engagement we see among Millennial women and the
importance of investing and financial education and resources – a
big focus for Schwab.”
A community-driven approach
While knowledge sharing and tapping their communities to discuss
finances is important to women investors across generations, it
stands out as a core part of the investing experience for
Millennial women, the survey finds. In fact, nearly twice as many
Millennial women investors say they participated in an investment
club or community when they first started investing than prior
generations. Millennial women investors are also the most likely of
those surveyed to see financial conversations as a way to build
closer relationships. More than a quarter frequently discuss
financial information or advice with others and are more likely to
do so with their friends than older generations. They are also more
likely to go to friends or leverage social media for financial
information, research and advice.
Millennial women
investors
Gen X women investors
Boomer women investors
Participated in an investment community,
club or group when first started investing
16%
8%
8%
Discuss financial information and advice
as a way to build closer relationships and community
31%
20%
7%
Discuss financial information or advice
frequently with others
29%
17%
8%
Discuss financial information with
friends
62%
53%
47%
Go to friends for financial information,
research and advice
31%
22%
13%
Go to social media for financial
information, research and advice
42%
30%
6%
“At Schwab, we believe that investing is key to financial
freedom, and we are constantly working to engage people across
generations to help them unlock the power of investing – but on
their own terms. The way that Millennial women are making investing
their own and creating a network effect by sharing their learnings
is an important emerging trend, and we’re excited to support them
in that effort,” said Bidner.
To learn more about how Schwab serves women investors, from
those just starting out to those with decades of experience, visit
Schwab.com/women-in-investing.
About the Schwab Women Investors Survey
The online survey was conducted by Logica Research from January
7, 2025, to January 23, 2025, among a national sample of 1,200
women investors in the United States, aged 21+, with at least
$5,000 in investable assets and who are primary or joint financial
decisionmakers in their households. Detailed results can be found
here.
Disclosures
The information provided here is for general informational
purposes only and should not be considered an individualized
recommendation or personalized investment advice. All expressions
of opinion are subject to changes without notice in reaction to
shifting market, economic, and geopolitical conditions.
Data herein is obtained from what are considered reliable
sources; however, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot
be guaranteed. Supporting documentation for any claims or
statistical information is available upon request.
Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.
About Charles Schwab
At Charles Schwab we believe in the power of investing to help
individuals create a better tomorrow. We have a history of
challenging the status quo in our industry, innovating in ways that
benefit investors and the advisors and employers who serve them,
and championing our clients’ goals with passion and integrity.
The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) is a leading
provider of financial services, with 37.0 million active brokerage
accounts, 5.5 million workplace plan participant accounts, 2.1
million banking accounts, and $9.93 trillion in client assets as of
March 31, 2025. Through its operating subsidiaries, the company
provides a full range of wealth management, securities brokerage,
banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services
to individual investors and independent investment advisors. Its
broker-dealer subsidiary, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (member
SIPC, https://www.sipc.org), and its affiliates offer a complete
range of investment services and products including an extensive
selection of mutual funds; financial planning and investment
advice; retirement plan and equity compensation plan services;
referrals to independent, fee-based investment advisors; and
custodial, operational and trading support for independent,
fee-based investment advisors through Schwab Advisor Services. Its
primary banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank, SSB (member FDIC
and an Equal Housing Lender), provides banking and lending services
and products.
More information is available at https://www.aboutschwab.com.
Follow us on X, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
(0625-ZNC4)
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250611383082/en/
Hibah Shariff Charles Schwab 415-667-0507
hibah.shariff@schwab.com
Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2025 to Jul 2025
Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2024 to Jul 2025
