Silver splitters

Greater financial security, a ‘life is too short’ mentality, a higher life expectancy and increased use of online dating sites could be driving a surge in divorce among the over-65s, according to Jo Edwards, partner at Forsters.

ONS statistics for the past two years up to January 2017 show over-65 divorces rising from 8,059 to 8,697 among men and from 4,654 to 5,554 among women. The number of older brides and grooms has also risen. Edwards said the rise in number of ‘silver splicers and silver splitters’ could be due to the ‘baby boomer’ generation, now over the age of 65, skewing the figures to create a spike but also being a generation that prioritises its own happiness.