Retire Rich: Empowering Women To Close The Gender Pension Gap

The "RETIRE RICH" campaign, a collaborative effort between the women-founded hosiery brand saint sass and Trade Republic, a leading investment platform, is set to launch on International Women's Day, March 8th. This initiative shines a spotlight on the significant gender pension gap in Europe and underscores the critical role of private pension planning for women. Saint sass will unveil a limited series of tights featuring the slogan "RETIRE RICH" to champion this cause.

Trade Republic, leveraging data from its 4 million customers, has uncovered that women investors often outperform their male counterparts, securing an average return that is 2% higher. This success is attributed to women's investment strategies, which include a focus on long-term goals, diversification, and consistent investing. These methods are key to building wealth over time. In support of financial education for women, profits from the sale of these limited edition tights will be donated to "seiStark e.V.", a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women through financial knowledge in local projects.

In Italy, for instance, women's pensions are on average 33% lower than men's, coupled with a lower rate of participation in private pension savings. Despite these challenges, Trade Republic's analysis reveals that women are adept investors. Notably, in 2023, they achieved an average annual return 2% higher than men by diversifying their portfolios and showing a preference for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) — holding 23% more in ETFs than men and being 10% more likely to invest through accumulation plans.

However, the data also points to hurdles that women face in the investment landscape, such as entering the capital markets two years later than men and with 30% less capital on average. The "RETIRE RICH" campaign seeks to motivate women across Europe to begin their journey towards private pension planning.

Eurostat data indicates that approximately one in five women over the age of 65 in Europe is at risk of poverty. The "RETIRE RICH" initiative aims not only to spark discussions about women's pensions but also to tackle the obstacles hindering their retirement planning. By promoting financial independence and encouraging early and informed investment decisions among women, the campaign hopes to make a significant impact.

Trade Republic acknowledges the emergence of a new generation of confident young female investors and commits to supporting their financial journey. Despite the progress made, the pension gap remains a pressing issue for many women who traditionally receive lower state pensions. Through this campaign, Trade Republic aims to inspire millions of women in Europe to trust in their financial acumen and embark on their savings journey.

The initiative will officially kick off on March 8th, 2024, with a dedicated website catering to women's investments. The "RETIRE RICH" tights will be exclusively available for purchase at saintsass.com. In a move to further support women's financial education, Trade Republic pledges to donate 100% of the profits from these sales to seiStark e.V., thereby contributing to local projects that empower women financially.

Ultimately, the "RETIRE RICH" campaign addresses crucial issues surrounding the gender pension gap and promotes active participation among women in capital markets. By encouraging financial independence and savvy retirement planning, this initiative stands as a significant step towards bridging the pension disparity in Europe.