Give knowledge at every age. Gain equity at every stage.
Aviva’s International Women’s day 2026 – we’re backing brokers to close Ireland’s gender wealth and pension gaps.
International Women’s Day 2026 is our chance to turn awareness into action. In line with the theme of this year’s IWD (Give to Gain), we’re aiming to “Give Knowledge at Every Age. Gain Equity at Every Stage”
For brokers, this means having clear, shareable resources that build confidence, clarify choices, and help clients stay on track with their long‑term plans.
Why this matters now
A persistent gender gap in retirement outcomes is clearly documented by the OECD, which links it to lower lifetime earnings, more frequent caregiving‑related career breaks, and pension system features that can disadvantage women over time.
Independent analysis from WTW reinforces this, showing that women in Ireland are expected to retire with around 80% of the wealth accumulated by men – meaning that for every €1 a man retires with, a woman retires with 80cent.
These gaps are structural, measurable and avoidable – if clients understand the system early and have access to advice that helps them take control.
Education is the unlock
Ireland’s consumer authority (CCPC) finds significant differences in financial literacy, with women among the groups facing more barriers. They also confirm that a strong link between higher financial literacy and better financial wellbeing.
Notably, fewer than 40% of people with savings or retirement products can explain compound interest, which is a foundational concept for pensions and investing.
This is not simply a knowledge gap, it’s a power gap – and a space where brokers can make a transformational difference. When clients understand their options, long-term habits improve: steadier contributions, better preparation for work, and informed investment decisions.
These gaps are structural, measurable and avoidable – if clients understand the system early and have access to advice that helps them take control.
What Aviva is doing for IWD 2026, and how it helps your advice process
This year, we’re expanding our Women Tackling Finance campaign with practical, plain-English guides on budgeting, investing basics, AVCs, and pension milestones. You’ll also get user-friendly visuals for meetings and myth-busters on fees, risk, and time horizons. These resources are designed to support meaningful conversations and help clients feel confident taking the next steps.
To “give knowledge at every age,” we have family-friendly content, including short videos and conversation starters to help parents teach saving, delayed gratification, and the difference between cash and card. Share these to start money conversations with the whole family.
During IWD and all through March, our media and PR activity will highlight the gender knowledge gap and direct people to brokers for personal guidance. This reinforces your role as the trusted link from awareness to action.
Four practical broker moves that change outcomes.
1. Start by explaining the gap, then show the way forward.
Use the OECD’s approach to explain why the pension gap exists, then focus on what clients can control: starting contributions earlier, using auto step-ups, and AVCs to cover career breaks. Clients are more engaged when they see a plan that fits their life stage.
2. Make financial literacy real.
Do a five-minute compounding demo with every client. CCPC research shows that many people with financial productscan’t define compound interest. A quick visual can often lead to higher, steadier contributions and better risk tolerance.
3. Plan around life stages.
Map actions to moments; first job, maternity/parental leave, return to work, preretirement catchup. Ourlifestage explainers and checklists make it easy to agree on small, sustainable steps that add up.
4. Build confident investing behaviour.
Keep it clear: time in market, diversification, and periodic rebalancing. Our new investment coach on avivabroker.ie and aviva.ie is packed with content to help here. Provide an annual “confidence review” to revisit goals and contributions — particularly important after career changes. Use our hub materials to reinforce habits between reviews.
Where to send clients
Direct clients to the Women Tackling Finance Hub aviva.ie/women-tackling-finance for bitesize videos, explainers, and downloadable guides you can share by email or in followups. Everything is written to increase confidence and prompt actionable next steps.
Aviva’s broader commitment to equity
To support this work more broadly, Aviva continues to invest in initiatives that advance equity both in business and in communities.
As part of this, Aviva is:
- A signatory of Women in Finance Ireland, supporting industry‑wide action to reduce the gender pay gap.
- Recognised as a Best Workplaces™ for Women 2025, reflecting our commitment to creating an environment where female talent can thrive.
- Awarded Gold accreditation by Investors in Diversity Ireland, recognising the highest standard of practice across our Equity, Diversity & Inclusion framework, including our work on gender equity.
Our partnership with the 30% Club Ireland supports this by promoting greater gender representation across Irish business
Aviva’s commitment to equity also extends into local communities through the In Her Boots grassroots football programme with the FAI. The initiative provides volunteers working with girls aged 9–16 with practical training and tailored coaching resources, helping clubs boost confidence, enjoyment and longterm participation. It is another way we are supporting stronger, more inclusive communities while reinforcing the equity goals behind this campaign.
Aviva Life & Pensions Ireland CEO, Barry Cudmore with other 30% Club Ireland Sponsors
Supporting Girls’ Football Through the In Her Boots Programme
Bottom line
Aviva is focused on giving people the clarity and support they need to make informed financial decisions, and on creating conditions, across business and community life, that improve equity over time. With the right tools and conversations, brokers play a central role in turning that progress into real outcomes for female clients.
Visit aviva.ie/women-tackling-finance for more
Sources: OECD Pensions at a Glance 2025; WTW Global Gender Wealth Equity (Ireland); CCPC Financial Wellbeing & Literacy (2024); N26 Financial Literacy Gap; Aviva Women Tackling Finance.
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