A new TD survey found 52% of Gen Z Canadians want their partner to sign a prenup if they get married or enter a common-law relationship. This is much higher than the national average of 31%.
"We know that finances can be a big stressor in relationships and are clearly on the minds of many Canadians, especially Gen Z," Nicole Ewing, TD Wealth’s principal, wealth planning office, said in a statement.
"Working together with your partner to tackle money conversations head on could help bring you both understanding and clarity in your relationship and respective financial futures."
One in four Gen Z respondents to the survey, that polled Canadians aged 18 and up, also admitted they likely wouldn’t date someone who earns less than them.
The finances of a relationship
Gen Z respondents showed the strongest feelings around finances in relationships, with 65% saying their partner’s net worth is important to them when starting a relationship, compared to the national average of 57%.
That being said, all Canadians surveyed expressed strong concerns about finances in their relationships, specifically:
- 71% would consider breaking up with a partner if they discovered they were being dishonest about their finances
- 65% would consider a breakup if their partner never offered to pay for anything
- 56% may break up over a partner’s bad spending habits
Having the money talk
Despite seven in 10 Canadians surveyed agreeing that financial transparency and responsibility were important factors in a relationship, 41% of couples say they only had the "money talk" with their partner after they had moved in together, or around when they got married or became common-law.
For nearly a quarter (23%) of Canadian couples, the money talk didn’t happen until after moving in together.
That delayed money talk appears to be impacting budgeting habits, with almost half (48%) of Canadians admitting they don’t set a monthly budget with their partner. In fact, of couples that do, 46% say their partner only sticks to that budget some of the time or not at all.
"With 43% of Canadians citing a partner’s debt load as an important factor in a relationship, it underscores that a key component of financial health as a couple is making sure you agree on your financial goals so it’s wise to have that conversation early to ensure you’re both on the same page," said Ewing.
Survey methodology
This Maru Public Opinion survey conducted on behalf of TD Bank Group consisted of surveying 1,534 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Maru Voice Canada online panelists on January 21. The results of this study have been weighted by education, age, gender and region (and in Quebec, language) to match the population, according to Census data.
This article Half of Gen Z Canadians want a prenup originally appeared on Money.ca
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
