Why Every Woman Must Invest Early in a 'Power Fund'

Career breaks, divorce or caregiving can erode earnings; power funds can aid recovery

- ROSHNI NAYAK

From over a decade in the financial planning profession, I've observed recurring patterns in investor behaviour, common money mistakes, spending habits, and ingrained money mindsets. One theme stands out above all: the tendency to delay investing, missing out on the long-term magic of compounding. Unfortunately, this delay affects women more severely than men. A major disruptor? Marriage, a life transition that can alter a woman's financial trajectory. Here are a few real-life cases (names changed) that illustrate the lasting consequences:

The illusion of financial security

Kashvi quit her job soon after marriage, trusting in the apparent affluence of her spouse's family. But the rich lifestyle was a facade. Her husband had no stable career or savings habit, and the household relied heavily on the pension of a soon-to-retire government executive—her father-in-law. With a second baby on the way and ailing in-laws to care for, resuming her career was out of the question. Her personal savings had already been spent on wedding costs and helping her own family, leaving her financially exposed.

Starting over at 40 after divorce