We all know of couples who have been married for years that suddenly announce they’re getting divorced. Everyone is surprised because they seemed compatible, had raised a family and are now getting closer to retirement.
However, there is a noticeable upward trend in the number of couples divorcing after decades of marriage. Why are older adults deciding they would be better off single as they head into retirement?
Fifty is the new thirty
When did you last sit down to look at old photo albums? People your age looked so much older and more mature. There’s something to the phrase “X age is the new Y age”. Not only are we enjoying a longer life expectancy, but we are also changing the way we look, act and feel.
Reaching the age of 50 no longer signals the start of a decline. Instead, it’s the beginning of a second act. Upon reaching this milestone, many couples start to reassess what they want from life. Going separate ways seems the most logical choice if their relationship no longer aligns with their desire.
Many couples spent their lives raising a family and maintaining a home and didn’t have the time to focus on their own happiness. But once the children move out and couples become empty nesters, many begin to realize they’ve grown apart and no longer have anything in common.
Financial independence is another factor in the uptick of gray divorces. Many women no longer depend on their spouses for economic stability. Decades of working outside the home means they have savings and retirement investments of their own. And when both partners have their own retirement plans, they feel more comfortable going their separate ways without the worry of economic insecurity.
Still, gray divorces come with their own unique set of challenges. In addition to dividing a lifetime accumulation of marital assets, there are the emotional struggles associated with losing part of your identity. You are now an individual instead of part of a couple, and that adjustment takes time.
If you are considering getting a divorce after decades of marriage, it’s essential to work with someone who can assist you with navigating the process and help ensure you get everything you’re entitled to.