A friend of mine spent nearly 30 years building a business with his wife. They were partners in every sense – work, home, retirement planning. Then, less than a month after he sold the business and retired, she announced she wanted a divorce. She’s now living overseas. He’s back at work, renting instead of living in his home and has lost nearly 20 kilos. Retirement was supposed to be freedom; instead it’s been a downward spiral.
His story isn’t unusual. While overall divorce rates in Australia have declined over the past two decades, one segment stands out: people aged 50 and over are divorcing more frequently. Known as “silver divorce”, this trend has been rising steadily. According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data, the median age at divorce has climbed – and the divorce rate for those 55–64 has increased even as overall rates fall.
Why Splits Spike Later in Life
There’s no single cause, but a cluster of pressures unique to this life stage:
Retirement Reality Check
Work often masks relationship strain. When careers end, unresolved issues surface. Couples discover they enjoy retirement, just not with each other.
Independence and Expectations
Women over 50 now have higher financial independence than previous generations. That means more can, not just tolerate, a split. In practical terms, women in this age group are statistically more likely to initiate divorce.
Re-evaluation of Life Goals
Empty nests and longer life expectancy prompt reassessment. People ask, If not now, when?
Reduced Stigma
Divorce is no longer a taboo, especially among older peers who know someone who’s been through it.
Money, Homes and Super: The Hard Reality
Asset division later in life is rarely simple. Australian family law aims for a “just and equitable” split, but decades of joint earning, homemaking and shared investments complicate things.
Superannuation – Not Just a Number
For many older couples, super is the largest asset – yet it’s treated differently from property. Access rules, tax implications, and preservation age mean dividing super often requires trade-offs that dramatically affect retirement income. A 50/50 split on paper can leave one party with vastly reduced financial security.
Property adds another layer. If one partner keeps the house, that often comes with mortgage responsibilities, maintenance costs and less liquid capital. In my friend’s case, the business sale was absorbed into the marital pool, leaving him asset-poor despite years of hard work.
Is It Harder for Men?
Many older men struggle more after divorce. Studies show men are more prone to:
social isolation
mental health decline
financial insecurity
difficulties re-entering the workforce
Women, statistically, maintain broader social networks and are more likely to seek emotional support – not to mention being more experienced at managing family, household and relational dynamics independently.
For men like my friend, divorce isn’t just about splitting assets – it’s about losing identity, routine and connection all at once. And because men are less likely to talk about emotional pain or seek help early, the fallout can be harsh.
The Costs Aren’t Just Financial
Loss of home, loss of pension-planning security, loss of social rhythm – these are serious. But the psychological toll is equally heavy. Research consistently links later-life divorce to higher rates of anxiety, depression and loneliness. Some studies even suggest that divorced men over 55 have worse health outcomes than their married peers.
What Can Be Done?
None of this is inevitable, but awareness helps:
Get advice early. Talk to financial and legal professionals before decisions are final.
Plan for your future, not just your breakup. Asset splits should factor in long-term living costs and health needs.
Build a support network. Friends, community groups, counselling – these aren’t luxuries, they’re lifelines.
Know that recovery is possible. Later-life divorce can lead to new beginnings – but it often requires intention, support and time.
Final Word
Divorce after 50 isn’t a failure. But it is a seismic shift – financially, socially and emotionally. For many, the pain comes not just from the split itself, but from losing a partner in every sense: business, home, routine and future.
My friend’s retirement didn’t look like this on the day he sold his business. But understanding the realities of silver divorce – the hard stats and the lived experience – might help others prepare before the ground shifts beneath their feet.
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