Gray divorce is a demographic trend of an increasing divorce rate for older couples in long-lasting marriages, usually after the age of 50. The term "gray divorce" refers to the separation of "gray-haired" couples over 50. The phenomenon entered the public awareness with a 2004 AARP study and was further elucidated in Deirdre Bairs 2007 book Calling It Quits, which contained interviews with gray divorcees.
Gray divorces tend to be financially harmful to the individuals. In addition to higher expenses (e.g., to maintain two homes instead of one shared home), the assets previously shared by the couple are divided. Many are either retired or close to retirement, so they have less opportunity to earn or save more money than a person who divorced at a younger age. Any retirement savings that survive the divorce have little time to grow again.
There are various explanations circulating around the continued surge in late-life divorces. Some gray divorce causes are the same reasons why younger couples divorce, such as addiction, abuse, or infidelity, but others are unique to couples who have been married for a long time. When couples seek a gray divorce, reasons most often include:
- Growing apart over time
- Empty nest syndrome
- Infidelity
- Financial issues
- Retirement
In a gray divorce, issues to be resolved can be significantly more complex compared to the challenges faced by younger couples due to how long the couples have been together. Married couples considering a gray divorce have often built a life together, which can make dividing property, finances, and possessions considerably more difficult.
