One in three (31%) of adults in relationships are worried that discussing savings or investments with partners could lead to arguments.
The figure is almost unchanged from the 30% recorded last year in research from Columbia Threadneedle.
The firm said that even when people are talking more openly about their finances in general, investing is often left out because it feels complicated or uncomfortable to raise.
Where investment conversations don’t take place, decisions can be made without discussion, with almost one in ten (9%) of Gen Z saying they have invested money without telling their partner – triple the proportion recorded last year (3%).
But there is appetite for more open discussion, with more than a third (37%) saying they wish they could speak more freely about money and investments, and almost two thirds (61%) agreeing that avoiding money conversations causes problems later.
Other positive findings include more people feeling less anxious when it comes to investing. Looking ahead to 2026, almost one in three (30%) say making investment decisions makes them feel anxious, down from more than a third (35%) in 2025.
Ross Duncton, head of direct at Columbia Threadneedle Investments, said: “The research shows that while many couples are becoming more open about money, investing is still a conversation many struggle to have.
“When conversations about investments or investing do not happen regularly, decisions are more likely to be made under pressure or without everyone feeling fully informed.”
“Making investing easier to understand and easier to talk about can help it become part of normal Financial Planning, rather than a subject people put off.”
• The research was conducted by Opinium on behalf of Columbia Threadneedle Investments between 18 and 23 December 2025. The survey was carried out among 2,000 UK adults who manage part or all of their investments. The sample was weighted to be nationally representative by age, gender, and region. The data a year prior was conducted by Opinium 11–21 October 2024, polling 2,000 UK investors aged 18 and above.