According to a study by Equirus Wealth titled 'Shakti & Capital: Next-Generation Women and the Future of Indian Family Wealth', 70% of women have the final say over their investment portfolios, yet none of the respondents received structured financial training. The study found that four in ten women assumed financial responsibilities after a major life event, including loss of a loved one, separation, capital loss or inheritance, rather than through a planned introduction to family finances. As reported by The Economic Times, this highlights critical gaps in financial preparedness and wealth succession among Indian families. The firm highlighted that the findings point to a gap between the authority women exercise and the structured financial training available to support them.
The Equirus Wealth study revealed that 30% of women were introduced to wealth management responsibilities by family members, while the remaining 30% began their investment journey through their own earnings or employer shares. According to the findings, 90% of respondents acknowledged that they are still learning about financial matters, despite having decision-making authority over family portfolios. This gap between authority and knowledge highlights a key challenge in Indian family wealth management where financial responsibility can arrive before individuals have the knowledge and experience to exercise it confidently.
A recent report by Equirus Wealth Management and Family Office released on October 13 revealed significant communication gaps within ultra high net worth family offices. Two-thirds of husbands in Indian UHNI family offices did not consult their spouses for investment decisions, despite women having decision-making authority over family portfolios. The study found that just about 30% of men consulted their spouses for financial decisions, with this trend being more prominent in big-ticket investments and private-market opportunities. As reported by The Hindu BusinessLine, the challenge extends beyond bringing women into conversations to giving them authority, experience and decision-making framework to influence how capital is deployed.
The study identified that 50% of women consider financial independence and peace of mind as the primary objectives of wealth management, reflecting a desire for security, personal choice and freedom to pursue life on their own terms. As reported by The Economic Times, another 30% view wealth primarily as a platform for the next generation to build upon, while 20% identify giving as its principal purpose. These findings demonstrate diverse perspectives on wealth management among women in Indian families.
According to Equirus Family Office, approximately ₹73 lakh crore could pass to women in Indian families over the next decade. Nitesh Arora, Managing Partner at Equirus Family Office, emphasized that while families devote considerable attention to building and preserving wealth, preparing the next generation to manage it deserves equal attention. As reported by Mint, the report advocates that transferring capability must receive the same deliberate attention as transferring assets. The study suggests five key actions for families: opening wealth conversations before events become urgent, giving successors responsibility rather than just information, moving from participation to decision-making, planning the whole balance sheet, and earning next generation's trust separately. The firm emphasizes that the transfer that matters is not of assets, but of the ability to understand, direct and steward them.
