Do you hide a 'runaway fund' from the other half? More than 50% of people in a relationship have savings that they keep secret, research reveals

  • More than half of people in a relationship have savings they keep for themselves
  • Women are most likely to have a stash - holding an average of £6,325
  • Men are less likely to but on average hold more cash, £8,333 in funds
  • Top reason for men having hidden savings was to cover them in case their relationship breaks down 

By Amelia Murray Money Mail Chief Reporter For The Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

More than half of people in a relationship have savings they keep strictly for themselves, research reveals.

One in six of this group go as far as keeping this money secret from their other halves.

Women are most likely to have savings dubbed 'runaway funds' by financial experts, stashing away an average of £6,325. Men who build up a secret pot typically hide away more at £8,333.

More than half of women wanted their own reserves to give them independence but almost a quarter keep it secret as they do not trust their partner.

More than half of women wanted their own reserves to give them independence but almost a quarter keep it secret as they do not trust their partner

More than half of women wanted their own reserves to give them independence but almost a quarter keep it secret as they do not trust their partner

The top reason given by men for having hidden savings was to cover them in case their relationship breaks down, the survey by investment firm AJ Bell found. A third of men said they needed secret funds in case they left their job.

Leading divorce lawyer Ayesha Vardag suggested that women are far more likely to be motivated by financial insecurity.

She said: 'Husbands might have their tax-efficient trusts and secret investments, wives tend instead to secrete small amounts into a rainy day fund.

'Many women who do otherwise trust their partners need the assurance of their own secret pot.'

Leading divorce lawyer Ayesha Vardag suggested that women are far more likely to be motivated by financial insecurity

Leading divorce lawyer Ayesha Vardag suggested that women are far more likely to be motivated by financial insecurity

Younger people in relationships are more likely to have separate savings with 65 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds opting for their own accounts compared to 45 per cent of the over-55s.

Financial experts recommend that both genders have a 'runaway fund' to ensure they are financially independent, especially as more couples live together without marrying. Maike Currie, director of investment firm Fidelity, said: 'It's not just about women – everyone should have a fall back or runaway fund.

'Having such a fund doesn't mean you want to run away from your partner but it does mean you have the savings to leave a failing relationship, a bad job or even a controlling parent. It's about choices.'

Joint bank account 'on the way out' 

Joint bank accounts could become obsolete as couples marry later and run their shared finances online.

Just 32 per cent of those aged 25 to 34 share a joint account compared to almost half of over-65s, said data firm Consumer Intelligence. Only 11 per cent of those aged 18 to 24 share a bank account, the survey of 1,511 customers showed.

The most common reason not to have a joint account was to keep control of their own finances and independence. Others worried about the effects of splitting up.

Many also feared it could cause tension if one partner was spending too much or checking up on the other.

Online banking and smartphone apps also allow couples to easily transfer cash between their separate accounts and track spending, meaning they do not need a shared account.

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