Women and financial security: maternity, part-time work, pension gaps
Maternity leave, years of reduced hours, a break to care for a parent. Choices made with love, and worth seeing in the finances too.
At a glance
- Fewer hours or breaks from work usually mean fewer contributions, and so a smaller future pension.
- Protection and savings in your own name give you independence, whatever your family situation.
- The care you give at home has financial value; if you were not there, it would cost money.
- Ask for a statement of your social insurance contributions and see where the gaps are.
Where the gaps come from
Pensions from Social Insurance and provident funds are built from contributions linked to work and earnings. Maternity leave, years of part-time work, a break to raise children or to care for a parent all leave a mark: fewer contributions, a smaller provident fund and often fewer employer benefits. How some of these periods count towards a pension is set by Social Insurance rules; ask what applies to you.
Independence, not mistrust
Many families organise their finances around one main income. That can work very well. Asking “what happens to me if something changes?” is not a lack of trust; it is good planning. Savings and cover in your own name, and knowing where the family’s policies and accounts are, give you firm ground whatever happens.
The value of care
If a mother who stays at home were gone, the family would need childcare, help at home, perhaps fewer working hours for the other parent. That is a real cost, and life cover for the parent who gives care makes as much sense as for the one who works outside the home.
Health at every stage
If you are planning a pregnancy and have a private health plan, ask in advance about maternity benefits and waiting periods. Later, check that your cover keeps up with the needs of each age. See our article on waiting periods and exclusions.
Questions worth asking
- To Social Insurance: How do periods of maternity or not working count towards my pension?
- To my employer: What happens to the provident fund and the group cover while I am on leave or on reduced hours?
- Do I have life and disability cover in my own name? Is it enough?
- Do I know where the family’s policies, accounts and documents are?
What you can do now
- Ask for a statement of your social insurance contributions and look at the years with gaps.
- Start a small saving in your own name, even if it is a little.
- Make a list of all the family’s finances and keep it together.
- If you stay home with the children, ask about life cover for you too.
Every policy has its own terms. What we write here is general information, not advice; for your own case, what your policy says applies, and it is worth confirming it in writing with your insurer.
Read also: Retirement guide · Social insurance and GESY in 2026 · Life insurance: an act of care · Provident fund and changing jobs
If you would like a second look, book an appointment with an advisor and bring your policy and your questions. You will go through them together, with no obligation.
