Fidelity® Findings: Most Couples Feel Confident About Money – But There Could Be More to Talk About

68% didn’t know their partner’s full financial picture until living together and half of couples would like to talk more about their day-to-day finances

Joint accounts are no longer the norm – Gen Z and Millennials are driving a rise in fully separate accounts

Fidelity provides resources for couples and families to help grow and protect their wealth

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fidelity Investments® today released data from its 2026 Couples & Money study, revealing that despite the complexities of managing money as a couple, most partners feel confident in their relationships and say financial habits play a major role in keeping their bonds strong. The study also identifies opportunities for couples to strengthen their financial partnership through more open communication. While most couples feel good about their ability to communicate with their partner, less than a third regularly talk about day-to-day finances or longer-term financial decisions, nearly half (49%) avoid money conversations to prevent arguments--and almost 1-in-4 admit to hiding a financial secret from their partner.

“Talking openly about money is more than just a financial exercise – it’s a great way for couples to feel even more connected,“ says Amanda Lott, head of Financial Planning and Advice Capabilities at Fidelity Investments. “Although these conversations may feel uncomfortable at first, approaching them together early and often can help partners build greater trust, support each other through challenges, and stay aligned on what matters most.”

The Fidelity study also revealed that many couples require some time to fully understand each other’s full financial picture. Sixty-eight percent say they didn’t know their partner’s complete financial situation before moving in together, and for nearly 1-in-5, it took more than a year after moving in together. And, the study identifies opportunities for partners to deepen their trust and understanding. For example, while most couples see themselves as being good financial partners, the study reveals half of couples wish they talked more about their day-to-day finances – particularly Gen Z (64%) and Millennials (63%).

Younger Couples Embrace Financial Independence

While combining finances may have once been the traditional norm, today’s couples are rewriting the rules. Only 42% combine their finances into joint accounts while about 1-in-5 keep everything separate. Younger generations are driving this shift: 34% of Gen Z and 26% of Millennials prefer to keep their accounts completely separate. Independence also plays a role with two-thirds of respondents saying it’s important to maintain some financial autonomy.

Younger couples also are changing the narrative when it comes to preparing for the unexpected. In fact, more than 1-in-4 Gen Z couples claim they have a formal or informal prenuptial agreement in place. This is more than twice as much as the general population, despite 50% of couples saying they sometimes think about what would happen to them financially if their relationship were to end.

“Younger couples are changing the rules on how they manage money, but one thing hasn’t changed: communication matters,” says Lott. “Whether you have a prenup, share accounts or keep them separate, talking openly is key to making money a source of strength – not conflict.”

The Emotional Toll of Managing Money Together

Money can be deeply personal and emotional. The study found that 58% of couples say they don’t contribute equally to household finances, and nearly 1-in-4 admit the imbalance affects their relationship. Additionally, partners who contribute less financially admit to sometimes wrestling with feelings of guilt and not pulling their weight. These emotions highlight the importance of empathy and open conversations, as managing money together is ultimately about mutual understanding.

Despite these obstacles, the good news is, when examining how couples define a happy relationship – love and financial harmony continue to win. Couples reveal a top factor for a successful relationship is being on the same page with their financial habits (53%). When asked what really helps, 52% of couples say planning for fun with experiences like date nights, hobbies, and vacations are the best way to make money strengthen their bond. In almost every scenario, respondents selected a romantic option over financial gain, suggesting that shared experiences are still the ultimate investment.

Couples That Talk About Finances Can Feel More Prepared – Fidelity Can Help

Fidelity’s research shows that couples who collaborate on financial decisions feel more prepared and more aligned. Still, the study shows there’s room to grow – most couples (69%) aren’t regularly talking about long-term finances, even though many wish they were (41%). Creating space for these forward-looking conversations and encouraging both partners to participate can help them feel more secure and aligned about their futures. While most couples see themselves as being good financial partners, to help couples start the money conversations, Fidelity offers several tips:

• Make it a “money date” – set aside time, maybe once a month, for a relaxed chat about finances. Keep it positive by focusing on shared goals like vacations or home projects, not just bills.
• Start small – begin with “low-stakes” conversations like budgeting for fun or planning a date night. Once you’re comfortable, move into bigger conversations about savings, debt, and long-term plans.
• Use helpful tools – Fidelity offers planning tools to make it easier to see the big picture together. Having clear numbers on the screen can help keep emotions in check.
• Ask for help when needed – if conversations start to feel overwhelming, consider talking to a financial professional. Fidelity licensed financial advisors can help couples bring their full financial picture together and plan with intention – whether finances are combined, kept separate, or somewhere in between.

For those looking to learn how they can have deeper conversations around wealth and planning, the Fidelity Center for Family Engagement offers research, coaching, tools, resources, and skill-building experiences. Fidelity also offers support for every type of investor, whether clients prefer a more self-led experience, or wealth management for those with more complex planning and investment needs.

About the 2026 Couples & Money Study

Versta Research conducted a national survey of 3,193 married or partnered U.S. adults ages 18 or older who had been married or in a long-term relationship (including domestic partnerships or civil unions) for three or more years. Sampling, fieldwork screening, and weighting were designed for accurate representation of the target population based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, income, and education using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The survey was conducted from October 14 to November 2, 2025. Assuming no sample bias, the maximum margin of error for full-sample estimates is ±2%.

About Fidelity Investments

Fidelity’s goal is to strengthen the financial well-being of our customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses we serve. Fidelity’s strength comes from the scale of our diversified, market-leading financial services businesses that serve individuals, families, employers, wealth management firms, and institutions. With assets under administration of $17.9 trillion, including managed assets of $7.0 trillion as of March 31, 2026, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a broad and growing customer base. Privately held for 79 years, Fidelity employs more than 80,000 associates across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit https://www.fidelity.com/about-fidelity/our-company.

Keep in mind that investing involves risk. The value of your investment will fluctuate over time, and you may gain or lose money.

Fidelity does not provide legal or tax advice. Consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Views expressed are of the date indicated, based on the information available at that time, and may change based on market or other conditions. Fidelity does not assume any duty to update any of the information.

The Fidelity Center for Family Engagement is an affiliated business unit of FMR, LLC and operates externally from Fidelity's broker dealer and registered investment adviser entities ("Affiliated Entities"). Services available through FCFE are neither brokerage nor advisory products or offerings of the Affiliated Entities.

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