Women need to stop banking on men for money – report

A new study shows that the majority of women depend too much on their spouse to fund their lifestyle.

The academic report by NUIG and Queen's University Belfast shows that women are much less likely to qualify for a full €230 per week State pension on retirement, compared with a majority of men.

The 'Older Women Workers' Access to Pensions' study found that women rely too heavily on their partners for financial stability and risk being left almost penniless in the event of a separation or widowhood.

The risk is even greater when the average life expectancy of Irish men and women are considered. Women live on average several years longer than men and must ensure they're provided for during that period.

The report concludes that: "Reliance on a partner's income is common, but is a risky strategy in the event of separation, divorce, widowhood, illness or redundancy,"

The recession made things worse for women in such circumstances. Higher taxes and other stealth charges have trapped older women in almost poverty.

The apparent moral of the story is that women need to become more financially independent and stable within Irish relationships.