The Rise of Gray Divorce: What the Statistics Tell Us About Late-Life Separation

The rise of gray divorce, or late-life separation, has become an increasingly common phenomenon in the United States. According to research published in the Journals of Gerontology in September 2022, more than one in three people who divorce in the United States are older than 50. This rate is significantly higher than it was several decades ago when only one out of every ten couples had a marital dissolution after the age of 50. [1]

The reasons for the rise in gray divorce are varied and complex, but there are some significant factors at play. One reason is that people are living longer lives and have more years to potentially spend in a relationship. This means that couples may be more likely to reach a breaking point due to issues such as diverging values, priorities, or lifestyle choices that have developed over time.

The social stigma of divorce has also decreased in recent years, making it easier for people to pursue a separation without feeling ashamed. As the economy has improved in recent decades, people over 50 have more financial freedom and independence that may lead them to seek a different life path than staying married.

The gray divorce rate accounts for 25% of all divorces, with 1 in 10 being 65 or older. [2]

The reasons for the increase in older divorces are varied and may include changes in attitudes about marriage, late-in-life realizations about incompatibility with one’s spouse, empty nest syndrome, increased life expectancy and financial security, or simply falling out of love.

Many people over 50 have also experienced divorce before and may feel more comfortable with the idea of separating from their current partner.

The consequences of gray divorce can be significant for those affected. According to a study conducted in 2017, women aged 63 and above who are divorced and gray-haired have a poverty rate of 27%, which surpasses that of any other group in that age range, including widows. This rate is nine times higher than the poverty rate for couples who remain married. For gray-divorced men, the poverty rate was 11.4%. [3]

Gray divorces can have serious financial implications for those involved and it’s important to take the necessary steps to protect one’s finances during a separation.

For older men, the financial impact of the divorce experience can be particularly devastating. Several studies have found that men over the age of fifty tend to experience a significant decrease in their standard of living following a divorce. In some cases, this decrease is as high as 21%. This differs from earlier studies which found that younger men were largely unaffected by divorces when it came to their incomes. [4]

According to the Pew Research Center, the odds of divorce for those over 50 have increased significantly since the 1990s. It is estimated that one in four divorces now involve adults ages 50 and older, compared with one in 10 in the 1990s. [5]

This increase in late-life divorce has been attributed to a variety of factors, including changing attitudes about marriage and increased financial security for some couples. It has also been suggested that with longer life expectancies, couples are more willing to end an unsatisfactory marriage rather than remain together for the rest of their lives.

The US Census Bureau notes the increase in divorce as well. Their report highlights that a staggering 39 percent of adults aged 65 to 74 years old have gone through a divorce, while nearly a quarter of those aged 74 and older have also experienced the dissolution of their marriages.

The findings suggest that the traditional notion of older adults staying together until the end of their lives is evolving, making it important for us to examine the reasons behind this rise and its implications for individuals and society as a whole. [6]

Based on information from the U.S. Census Bureau, individuals between the ages of 55-64 had the highest divorce rates (around 43%), regardless of gender. This is a staggering statistic, considering that this age group of married people was least likely to separate back in 1990; only about 13% of individuals aged 55 to 64 were divorced. [7]

This increase in late-life separation comes with significant financial implications for those involved. One such consequence is a decrease in financial security. The study found that around 20% of women aged 65 or older, who are divorced, face lower financial security and live in poverty in comparison to married or widowed women. [8]

Grey divorce issues are becoming more and more common in the US. In fact, according to a study conducted in 2020, individuals who experienced a gray divorce (regardless of gender) experienced a significant and immediate decrease in their wealth by 50%. It was also found that older adults who divorced were more likely to experience poverty after the split than those who remained married. [9]

Gray divorce, or the separation of couples who have been married for 20 years or more, has been gaining traction in recent years as more couples feel the pressures of empty nests and stagnant relationships. Statistics show that women are increasingly initiating these late-life separations, with over 60% of gray divorces being initiated by women. [10]

This statistic speaks to the changing landscape of family dynamics and marriage in the United States. Previous generations of aging women were dependent on their spouses for their livelihood. As more older women become financially independent, it appears that they take control of their relationships and exercise their right to end unhappy marriages if need be. This shift in gender roles and expectations can have far-reaching implications for family law and couples therapists.

If you are looking for a divorce attorney in Jacksonville, contact us for a free consultation.