When I was filming interviews for my documentary earlier this year, one of the most interesting findings was a statistical anomaly in the divorce rate.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), separations for the population as a whole are currently falling.
One age group is bucking this trend, with a rising divorce rate, and that’s the post-war Baby Boomers.
The ONS figures show that, between 1990 and 2012 (the latest year for which these figures are currently available), divorce among the over 60s has risen by more than 85%. In fact, the ‘silver separator’ divorce rate continues to rise.
New research published today by the International Longevity Centre predicts the total number of people over the age of 60 experiencing divorce will increase from 15,700 in 2012, to over 22,000 by 2037. This is a 41% rise, based on current trends.
They expect one in ten divorces by 2037 to be a person over the age of 60.
Rise (and rise) of the silver separator
What is the driving force behind the rise (and rise) of the silver separator? The International Longevity Centre have identified four possible factors:
- With people marrying later in life, they are more exposed to the risk of divorce at older ages because their marriage is still relatively fresh.
- Rising employment amongst women equates to more financial independence as women do not have to rely on their spouse to provide income through work.
- Given that there is a small chance of divorce during each year of marriage, with people living longer, more marriages are likely to end in divorce and less likely to end in the death of a spouse.
- Changes in social attitudes towards divorce.
One consequence of this rising silver separator divorce rate could be increased social isolation and loneliness in later life.
“Rising silver separator divorce rates could mean loneliness in later life.” [tweet this]
When researching a chapter on silver separators for my new book – Ready, Steady, Retire! Plan Your Way to Success in a Redefined Retirement – I came across studies which point to the impact of silver separations on health, life expectancy, care provision and loneliness. It’s a really important issue to consider when you are approaching retirement.
The health of your relationships is just as important as the financial health of your retirement plans as you enter the ‘third act’ of your life.
Many review their pensions and plan for income in retirement, few we find review their relationship and consider the impact of a changing lifestyle on the strength of their marriage or civil partnership.
