Her Money Matters

In Part 1 of our International Women’s Day special, Naomi sat down with Natalie Previtera to unpack the gender pay gap and super gap and explore why women continue to retire with less. In this second episode, Naomi and Helene broaden the conversation and look at the bigger picture behind those numbers.

International Women’s Day is a moment to recognise progress, but also to acknowledge the structural and societal factors that still influence women’s financial outcomes today. Many of the gaps we see in pay, retirement savings and investing are not random. They are the result of how work, care and financial systems have historically been designed.

In this episode, Naomi and Helene unpack the key statistics behind these gaps and explore why conversations about financial equality for women remain so important.

In this episode we cover:

• Why International Women’s Day still matters and the theme of Balancing the Scales

• The key statistics behind the gender gaps still affecting women and money

• The care gap and why women continue to carry the majority of caring responsibilities

• The impact of unpaid work and part-time employment on long-term financial security

• The divorce gap and how separation can affect women’s income and financial stability

• The investment gap and why women tend to hold more cash than growth assets

We have also borrowed a word from Aretha Franklin - R.E.S.P.E.C.T.. In our IWD theme of balancing the scales for women and money, what we are really talking about is financial respect, and that includes respect for women’s work, women’s time, women’s contributions, and women’s futures.

This is a special podcast episode - one of a two-part series - marking International Women’s Day 2026.  I am joined by Natalie Previtera, CEO of NGS Super, and we focus on the United Nations theme for 2026, “Balancing the Scales” and what that means for women’s superannuation in Australia.

Natalie shares both her professional insights and her personal story. We talk about leadership, confidence, Jon Bon Jovi, and how to bridge the 'Super Gap'.  Women continue to retire with less super than men, driven by career breaks, part time work, caring responsibilities and the gender pay gap. 

Together we unpack the super gap, the confidence gap that can sit behind it, and four practical ways to strengthen your super:
• Understand your fund, and consider making additional super contributions if this is appropriate for you.
• Consolidate multiple accounts where appropriate.
• Take appropriate risk aligned to your risk appetite and your timeframe.
• Review your insurance inside super and ensure it reflects your needs.

So this international Women's Day, Invest in yourself.  Your super fund is likely to be your biggest asset that is entirely in your own name, so take the time to familiarise yourself with your super fund, identify what is working and what is not, and as a minimum - take one proactive step to learn something more - that can help you bridge the Super Gap.

Let's take some steps to Balance the Scales, and start building up more retirement savings in our own name.

Disclaimer:
This is general information only and may not be right for you, read NGS Super’s PDS, FSG,TMD and Insurance guide at ngssuper.com.au.

In Part Two of our Divorce, Money and Mindset series, we dive into the chapter that begins after the lawyers leave and the settlement is finalised. This is the phase that often looks “resolved” from the outside, yet internally you can feel very lost, lonely, unsure about the future and do not know who to turn to.

We unpack the psychological and financial patterns that often show up after property settlement, including avoidance, impulsive spending, guilt with kids, and decision fatigue. 

In this episode, we explore:
• Why settlement money can feel terrifying instead of empowering
• The “Settlement Parking Lot” and why procrastination is often protection
• The emotional whiplash of spending after divorce
• How guilt with kids can quietly derail financial progress
• Decision fatigue and the loneliness of doing it alone

The Hidden Benefit Exercise
In this episode, Helene shares a powerful reflection tool called The Hidden Benefit Exercise. If you have been avoiding making decisions about your settlement money, this exercise helps you uncover what your brain believes it is protecting you from. Download the Hidden Benefits Exercise Here.
 
If this episode resonated with you or someone you know and you would like personalised support, you can reach Naomi at [email protected] or visit www.hermoneymatters.com.au and click contact; or Helene at www.hermindsetmatters.com.au or [email protected]

SUPPORT OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS: BUY YOUR TEAL RIBBONS FROM ANY TERRY WHITE CHEMIST OR THE OVARIAN CANCER WEBSITE

In this important episode, we shine a light on Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Teal Ribbon Day, observed in Australia on 26 February. Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal female cancer in Australia, with around 1,500 women diagnosed each year and a five-year survival rate of just 49 percent. Despite these confronting statistics, awareness remains low, and there is currently no reliable early detection screening test.

Joining me for this conversation is Dianna Pecherczyk, Partner at MBS Insurance and Senior Financial Adviser specialising in personal insurance. Together, we explore the dangers of ovarian cancer, the known risk factors, and the critical role that financial protection plays when serious illness strikes.

What We Cover
Understanding the Risk of Ovarian Cancer
We unpack the key data points around ovarian cancer, including the impact of increasing age, hereditary factors, and family history. We also clarify common misconceptions, including the fact that routine cervical screening does not detect ovarian cancer.

Turning February Teal
We explain the purpose of Teal Ribbon Day, how you can get involved, and why starting conversations about ovarian cancer matters. Awareness is the first step. Preparation is the next.

Personal Insurance Overview
We provide a clear recap of the four key types of personal insurance and how they respond in the event of a cancer diagnosis. We also discuss what may be available beyond a payout, including support services and treatment-related benefits.

The Financial Reality of Serious Illness
Through two case studies, Dianna shares real-life examples of clients who claimed across life insurance, Total and Permanent Disablement insurance, trauma insurance and income protection policies. We explore what those claims meant for their families and how having protection in place created options, breathing space and dignity during extraordinarily difficult times.

Wear the teal ribbon this February and support Teal Ribbon Day with us on 26 February.   Please start conversations with the women in your life so we can raise awareness, know your body and seek medical advice if something feels persistent or unusual, and understand your family history.  
 
Also, take the opportunity to review your personal insurances. Check what you have inside your super, confirm whether you have life cover, TPD and income protection and consider whether you need additional cover outside super, and ensure the amounts are still appropriate for your stage of life.
If you are unsure, seek advice.

To contact Dianna Pecherczyk at MBS Insurance:
[email protected]
https://mbsinsurance.com.au/

Most women are already investors however many don't actually realise it. If you have a super fund, you are invested. The real question is whether your investments are structured in a way that supports what is important to you and where you are comfortable investing.

In this episode, we unpack one of the most important principles in investing: diversification. Before you start choosing specific investments, before you explore themes or trends, this is where it all begins. Diversification is the foundation. When you build on the right foundations, everything else becomes clearer and more intentional.

Once you understand diversification, you open up a world of options. Investing becomes less about guessing and more about designing a portfolio that reflects your goals, timeframe and values.

In this episode, we cover:
• What diversification really means 
• Why diversification is the first step in building a strong portfolio
• The psychology behind diversification and understanding the importance of learning to invest outside cash and property
• How to diversify across different types of investments
• How to diversify within investments, not just between them
• The growing range of investment options now available to everyday investors

For those who would like to explore the data further, I reference Global X’s publication The Australian ETF Landscape, which provides a detailed snapshot of how the ETF market has evolved in Australia and the breadth of investment options now available. You can access the report here:
https://www.globalxetfs.com.au/australian-etf-landscape/

In this episode, I also refer to understanding your investment risk profile as part of building a diversified portfolio. If you would like a copy of a simple investment risk profile questionnaire to help guide your thinking, send me an email at [email protected] and I will happily send one through.