Why are gray divorce rates on the rise?

Your 50s and 60s are a new chapter of life. At this point, many individuals get ready for retirement or have already retired. If you had children, they have likely also left the home. This leaves you and your spouse with more time than you may know what to do with. In some cases, it may reveal that you drifted apart.

Thus, you may be one of many older couples considering a divorce. Known as gray divorce, this specific type is on the rise and has been for some time.

Divorce is more commonplace in general

Business Insider takes a look into gray divorce. Many speculate reasons as to why more older couples are splitting than before. First, there is the possibility that societal and health changes contribute to higher divorce rates. Before, divorce carried a big stigma. Many couples stayed together in unhappy marriages just to avoid this. These days, almost everyone knows at least one divorced couple. This has led to a reduction in stigma.

Many people live well past their 50s

Another possibility is the increase in life expectancy and overall health in later years. Again, many older couples once stayed together because the idea of being alone scared many. But these days, your 50s are not that old. Plenty of people find new spouses and remarry, enjoying their later years to the fullest.

Of course, gray divorcees have unique hurdles that young couples do not face. For example, you will have to deal with more complex joint assets and retirement. But if you decide a divorce is in your best interest, you are not the first and you will not be the last.