Most American couples say they feel good about how they manage money together, but a new Fidelity Investments survey suggests the confidence may be masking some uncomfortable realities.
The firm's 2026 Couples & Money study, based on a national survey of more than 3,000 married or partnered adults, found that nearly half of couples deliberately sidestep financial conversations to avoid conflict, while almost one in four acknowledge hiding a financial secret from their partner.
Nearly seven in 10 respondents said they had no clear picture of their partner's full financial situation before moving in together. For roughly one in five, it took more than a year after cohabiting before the whole picture came into focus.
"Talking openly about money is more than just a financial exercise — it's a great way for couples to feel even more connected," said 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 findings point to a gap between perception and practice. While most couples describe themselves as strong financial partners, fewer than a third say they regularly discuss either day-to-day spending or longer-term money decisions. Half say they'd like to be having more of those everyday financial conversations — a desire especially pronounced among younger adults, with 64% of Gen Z and 63% of millennials expressing that sentiment.
The study also documents a generational shift in how couples structure their money.
Just 42% now pool finances into joint accounts, while roughly one in five keep everything entirely separate. Among Gen Z, 34% opt for fully independent accounts, compared to 26% of millennials. Two-thirds of all respondents said maintaining some degree of financial autonomy was important to them.
Younger couples are also approaching worst-case scenarios with more formality. More than one in four Gen Z couples report having a prenuptial agreement — formal or informal — in place, a rate more than double that of the broader population. That's despite half of all couples saying they occasionally think about what their financial situation would look like if the relationship ended.
"Younger couples are changing the rules on how they manage money, but one thing hasn't changed: communication matters," Lott said. "Whether you have a prenup, share accounts or keep them separate, talking openly is key to making money a source of strength — not conflict."
Money's emotional dimension surfaces clearly in the data. Fifty-eight percent of couples say their financial contributions to the household are not equal, and nearly one in four report that the imbalance strains the relationship. Those who contribute less often describe carrying feelings of guilt over not pulling their weight — an emotional undercurrent the study frames as a reason for greater empathy and more frequent dialogue.
Despite these friction points, the data also shows that financial alignment ranks among the most valued ingredients of a successful relationship.
Fifty-three percent of respondents identified being on the same page about money habits as a key factor in relationship health. And when asked what most effectively strengthens the bond around finances, 52% pointed to planning shared experiences — date nights, travel, hobbies — rather than purely transactional financial activities. In nearly every scenario the survey presented, respondents chose a romantic option over a financial one.
Even among couples who feel well-prepared, the study surfaces a persistent reluctance to plan ahead together.
Sixty-nine percent say they don't regularly discuss long-term finances, even though 41% wish they did. Fidelity's researchers suggest that creating space for forward-looking conversations — and making sure both partners are actively part of them — is one of the more actionable steps couples can take.
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