Financial well-being among Black and Hispanic women

February 2021

There is mounting evidence of minorities’ financial struggles and persistent wealth gaps compared to whites, along with substantial gender differences in indicators of financial wellness.

Summary

Strategies specifically targeted to the financial needs and circumstances of Black and Hispanic women are more likely to help them overcome deeply rooted economic challenges. Nevertheless, little research exists to help understand the dynamics underlying these needs and circumstances. This paper aims to fill this knowledge gap by providing an in-depth analysis of Black and Hispanic women’s financial well-being and the factors contributing to it.

Key Insights
Compared to white women, Black and Hispanic women are more likely to face economic challenges that depress financial well-being.
Differences in education, family structure, employment, and financial literacy all contribute to disparities in financial well-being among underrepresented female minorities.
A “one size fits all” approach to financial education is unlikely to address differences in financial well-being across sub-groups of women.
Methodology

The authors analyzed data from the 2018 wave of the National Financial Capability Study, a nationwide survey of approximately 27,000 U.S. adults.

While Black and Hispanic women share some disadvantages, each group has unique needs.
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Authors

About TIAA Institute

The TIAA Institute helps advance the ways individuals and institutions plan for financial security and organizational effectiveness. The Institute conducts in depth research, provides access to a network of thought leaders, and enables those it serves to anticipate trends, plan future strategies and maximize opportunities for success.
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