Study: Rates of “Gray Divorce” Have Tripled Since 1990

Divorce among those aged 65 and over has tripled since 1990, according to a recent study. In 1990, the rate of divorce among seniors was only 5%. Today, that number has ballooned to 15%, according to the National Center for Family and Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University.

Two factors that have led to this increase include extended life expectancy and the “fragile nature of second, third, or fourth marriages,” according to researcher Susan Brown, a sociology professor at Bowling Green State University.

“This cohort of individuals experienced the divorce revolution in the 1970s as young adults, and many eventually remarried,” Brown postulated. “We know that remarriages are more likely to end in divorce than first marriages, which could be one cause for the increase.”

That being said, divorce rates among middle-aged Gen X’ers aged 50 to 64 slightly declined in 2022, researchers found, meaning that “gray divorce” is largely a phenomenon found among Baby Boomers.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Bowling Green researchers also found that an increasing number of seniors never chose to tie the knot. That percentage rose from 5.2% in 1990 to 6.6% in 2022. Meanwhile, widowhood has declined more than 14% over the past three decades, due to increases in life expectancy. The study reveals that a growing number of older adults are increasingly divorced or never married.

Gray divorce in practice 

Greater life expectancy allows individuals to ponder their happiness later in life. Meanwhile, there is a societal shift regarding gender roles. Women today are more economically independent than they were in generations past. Once adult children have all grown up, some couples no longer feel the pressure to stay together.

Meanwhile, gray divorce presents distinct challenges compared to divorces that occur when the couple is younger. The couple must divide assets that have been accumulated over decades as opposed to years.

Anyone who is getting divorced, regardless of their age, should consider the financial aspects of divorce such as asset division, alimony, legal fees, and the loss of two incomes. This ensures that they can better prepare for their post-divorce reality. Divorce often leads to a significant reduction in household income. With the loss of two incomes, both parties are forced to consider how they will move forward after the divorce.

A study regarding the economic consequences of gray divorce in men and women found that men experience a 21% reduction in their standard of living following a gray divorce. Meanwhile, women face an even greater reduction in their standard of living: a 45% decline.

Talk to a Philadelphia Family Law Attorney Today 

The Law Offices of Lauren H. Kane represent the interests of those seeking to divorce in Philadelphia or Delaware County. Call our Philadelphia family lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your goals and concerns right away.

Source:

medicalxpress.com/news/2024-10-seniors-gray-divorce-tripled.html