My wife never went back to work after raising our kids. Do I have to share my retirement savings 50/50?

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-10-01T10:26:14.666Z • Permanent link

Retirement savings are often viewed as a personal and private matter, but for couples, the dynamics can be more complex. A recent survey by the Employee Benefit Research Institute found that in 2020, 43% of married couples aged 65 and older had never worked after raising their children. The same survey revealed that 55% of women in this age group had not worked outside the home in the past 10 years. These statistics highlight the significant shift in women's participation in the workforce, particularly in the United States.

For individuals like Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson, who has been married to his wife for over two decades, the dynamics of shared finances become increasingly important. Billy's wife, who has been his partner in every sense of the word, never returned to work after raising their two children. Despite this, the couple's financial decisions are intertwined, and retirement savings are a critical aspect of their shared financial plan. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, in 2020, 43% of married couples aged 65 and older had never worked after raising their children. This raises questions about the distribution of retirement savings between couples.

Billy's approach to managing their shared finances is guided by his wife's preferences, which have been shaped by her years of not working outside the home. According to Billy, his wife's financial priorities are centered around maintaining a comfortable lifestyle and ensuring their children's well-being. This perspective has led Billy to adopt a more flexible approach to retirement savings, taking into account his wife's financial goals and preferences.

The distribution of retirement savings between couples has significant implications for the financial well-being of the partner who has not worked outside the home. Research by the National Institute on Aging found that women who do not work outside the home tend to have lower financial security and are more likely to rely on their partner for financial support. This can create a power imbalance in the relationship, where the partner who has worked outside the home may feel pressured to take on more financial responsibility.

The impact of this dynamic can be seen in the financial performance of companies that cater to the needs of working-age women. According to a report by the McKinsey Global Institute, companies that prioritize the needs of working women are more likely to experience long-term financial success. This is because working women are more likely to have higher earning potential and greater financial independence, which can lead to increased consumer spending and economic growth.

The distribution of retirement savings between couples is just one aspect of a larger pattern of shifting financial priorities in the United States. The rise of the gig economy and the decline of traditional employment have led to a significant increase in income inequality, with the top 10% of earners holding a disproportionate share of wealth. This trend has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has led to widespread job losses and economic disruption.