Friday, 30 May, 2025 | 13:30 | Room 402 | Brown Bag Seminar | ONLINE

Marta Cota: "Gender Differences in Savings Over the Life-Cycle: The Role of Financial Literacy"

You can join the seminar in person at the following address:
CERGE-EI, Politických vězňů 7, Praha 1, room 402
or online at: TBA
Meeting number: TBA
Meeting password: TBA

Presenter:
Marta Cota (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Title: "Gender Differences in Savings Over the Life-Cycle: The Role of Financial Literacy"

Abstract: This paper examines gender differences in wealth accumulation through a microfounded model of financial decision-making, and highlights that gender gaps in financial literacy can contribute to gender wealth inequality over the life-cycle. Using data from several US surveys, we show that women are more likely to delegate financial decisions and have lower financial literacy, which however increases after events such as divorce or widowhood, or after shocks to their spouse's health. Moreover, while financial literacy increases women’s investment margins more than men's, its impact is stronger for safe assets accumulation and limited for equity holdings, suggesting a role for subjective financial confidence in shaping their investment margins. Our model highlights how marital dynamics influence financial decisions and underscores the importance of targeted policies to improve women’s financial literacy, promote independence, and reduce gender wealth disparities over the life-cycle.