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The Economic Consequences of Gray Divorce for Women and Men
[Marriage, marital history, and black-white wealth differentials among older women]

Author

Listed:
  • Fen Lin
  • Susan L Brown
  • Deborah S Carr

Abstract

ObjectivesGray divorce, which describes divorce among persons aged 50 and older, is increasingly common reflecting the doubling of the gray divorce rate since 1990. Yet, surprisingly little is known about the consequences of gray divorce and in particular how women and men fare economically during the aftermath.MethodUsing longitudinal data from the 2004–2014 Health and Retirement Study, we estimated hybrid fixed/random-effects models comparing women’s and men’s economic well-being prior to, during, and following gray divorce and subsequent repartnering.ResultsWomen experienced a 45% decline in their standard of living (measured by an income-to-needs ratio), whereas men’s dropped by just 21%. These declines persisted over time for men, and only reversed for women following repartnering, which essentially offset women’s losses associated with gray divorce. No gender gap emerged for changes in wealth following divorce with both women and men experiencing roughly a 50% drop. Similarly, repartnering was ameliorative only for women’s wealth.DiscussionGray divorce is often financially devastating, especially for women. Although repartnering seems to reverse most of the economic costs of gray divorce for women, few form new co-residential unions after divorce. This study offers a cautionary tale about the financial aftermath of gray divorce, which is likely to contribute to growing economic disadvantage among older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Fen Lin & Susan L Brown & Deborah S Carr, 2021. "The Economic Consequences of Gray Divorce for Women and Men [Marriage, marital history, and black-white wealth differentials among older women]," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(10), pages 2073-2085.
  • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:76:y:2021:i:10:p:2073-2085.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbaa157
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Elizaveta A. Belousova, 2022. "Economic well-being: Semantic environment and research contexts at a municipal level," Journal of New Economy, Ural State University of Economics, vol. 23(4), pages 46-68, January.
    2. Maude Pugliese & David Pelletier & Céline Bourdais, 2023. "Separation and Savings in Tax-Favored Retirement Accounts Among Canadian Men and Women," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 42(4), pages 1-33, August.
    3. LoRiggio, Tessa & Morris, Todd, 2024. "The Gender Wealth Gap near Retirement in Canada," IZA Policy Papers 207, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Shinae L. Choi & Deborah Carr, 2023. "Older Adults’ Relationship Trajectories and Estate Planning," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 356-372, June.
    5. Léa Cimelli & Carole Bonnet & Anne Solaz, 2024. "Do late-life divorces produce greater gender inequalities? Evidence from administrative data," Working Papers 292, French Institute for Demographic Studies.

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