Marital StatusStatistic # 292In 2003, 56.5%, 31.6%, 8% and 3.9% of persons (both men and women) age 65 and above were married, widowed, divorced, and never married, respectively. In 2003, 74.4%, 14.3%, 7% and 4.3% of men age 65 and above were married, widowed, divorced and never married, respectively. In 2003, 43.3%, 44.3%, 8.7% and 3.7% of women age 65 and above were married, widowed, divorced and never married, respectively.
U.S. Census Bureau. (2005).
"This section presents statistics on the growth, distribution, and characteristics of the U.S. population. The principal source of these data is the U.S. Census Bureau, which conducts a decennial census of population, a monthly population survey, a program of population estimates and projections, and a number of other periodic surveys relating to population characteristics." |
Marital StatusStatistic # 1099The National Study of Employers, which surveyed workplaces with 50 or more employees, found that in 2005, 21% of employers provided health insurance coverage for unmarried partners of employees. (Table 17, p.24) Families and Work Institute. (2005, September).2005 National Study of Employers. New York, NY: Bond, T. J., Galinsky, E., Kim, S. S., & Brownfield, E. Retrieved August 02, 2006, from http://familiesandwork.org/eproducts/2005nse.pdf “Families and Work Institute’s 2005 National Study of Employers (NSE) is one of the most comprehensive and far-reaching study of the practices, policies, programs and benefits provided by U.S. employers to address the changing needs of today’s workforce and workplace…will provide ongoing measurements of employer work life benefits, policies, and practices. In 2005, it was redesigned to include a nationally representative sample of employers with 50 or more employers…The 2005 NSE sample included 1,092 employers with 50 or more employees-66 percent are for-profit companies and 34 percent are nonprofit organizations; 44 percent operate at only one location, while 56 percent have operations at more than one location.” |
Marital StatusStatistic # 1126A study by Moen, Kim, and Hofmeister (2001) found that of their respondents, "Almost one-fifth (17.6%) of married respondents…are currently in jobs subsequent to their primary career job; this fact indicates that the retirement exit is becoming increasingly blurred." (p.60) Moen, P., Kim, J., & Hofmeister, H. (2001, March). Couples' work/retirement transitions, gender, and marital quality. Social Psychology Quaterly, 64(1), 55-71. Using data from both the first (1994-1995) and second (1996-1997) waves of the Cornell Retirement and Well-being Study, this paper explored "whether couples' [individuals between the ages of 50 and 72] employment/retirement circumstances predict marital quality differently for men and for women." (p.55, 58) |
Marital StatusStatistic # 1127A study by Moen and Smith (2004) found that "a female retiree is more than five times more likely to report being satisfied when she reported that her husband was not influential in the retirement decision; conversely, retired husbands who perceived their wives as influential are more likely to report being satisfied [in retirement." (p. 274) Moen, P. & Smith, D. (2004, March). Retirement satisfaction for retirees and their spouses: Do gender and the retirement decision-making process matter? Journal of Family Issues, 25(2), 262-285. "This study investigates factors related to retirees' and their spouses' individual and joint retirement satisfaction using decision-making theory and a life course perspective. The sample includes 421 retired respondents (ages 50 to 72) and their spouses from the Cornell Retirement and Well-Being Study." (p.262) |
Marital StatusStatistic # 1225According to the Social Security Administration, "In 2004, 90% of married couples and 88% of nonmarried persons aged 65 or older received Social Security benefits." (Social Security Administration, 2006a: 7). Social Security Administration, Office of Policy. (2006a, September). Fast Facts & Figures About Social Security, 2006. Washington, DC. Retrieved January 8, 2007 from http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/chartbooks/fast_facts/2006/fast_facts06.pdf This report "answers the most frequently asked questions about the programs SSA administers. It highlights basic program data for the Social Security...and Supplemental Security programs." |
Marital StatusStatistic # 1228According to the Social Security administration, Social Security "was 90% or more of income for 21% of aged beneficiary couples and 43% of aged nonmarried beneficiaries. Total income excludes withdrawals from savings and non-annuitized IRAs or 401(k) plans; it also excludes in-kind support, such as food stamps and housing and energy assistance." (Social Security Administration, 2006a: 7). Social Security Administration, Office of Policy. (2006a, September). Fast Facts & Figures About Social Security, 2006. Washington, DC. Retrieved January 8, 2007 from http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/chartbooks/fast_facts/2006/fast_facts06.pdf This report "answers the most frequently asked questions about the programs SSA administers. It highlights basic program data for the Social Security...and Supplemental Security programs." |
Marital StatusStatistic # 1533According to analysis of the National Study of the Changing Workforce, among employees 50 years or older, men were more likely to be very satisfied (46%) with family life than women (32%). Women were more likely than men to be somewhat satisfied (41% vs 39%), somewhat dissatisfied (21% vs 15%), or very dissatisfied (6% vs 1%). Among older employees who are married or living with a partner, 58 percent of the men are “very satisfied” with that relationship, compared with only 49 percent of women who are “very satisfied.”  Bond, T. J., Galinsky, M. E., Pitt-Catsouphes, M., & Smyer, M. A. (2005). The diverse employment experiences of older men and women in the workforce. (Research Highlight 02). “This report is the second in a series of Research Highlights published by the Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility in collaboration with the Families and Work Institute. These Research Highlights present the findings of in-depth analyses of the Families and Work Institute’s 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW). This report compares and contrasts the experiences of men and women, 50 and older, in the U.S. workforce. Gender is an important lens for examining the employment experiences of older workers, in part because the work and family histories of men and women tend to vary across the course of their lives…The National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW) is conducted every five years. It surveys large samples of the U.S. workforce to collect information about both the work and personal lives of U.S. workers.” |
Marital StatusStatistic # 2113In a 2008 report on the poverty status of mature women, in 2001 when most of the women were in retirement ages (ages 64-78), "among whites, unmarried women were nearly three times more likely than married women to live in poverty or near poverty (44 percent vs. 15 percent). Among African-Americans, unmarried women 47.7% were poor and 21.0 percent were near poor; for married women 25.4% and 21.2 percent were poor and near poor, respectively. (Table 3, p. 8) Lee, S., & Shaw, L. (2008). From work to retirement: Tracking changes in women's poverty. Washington, DC: AARP. Retrieved from http://www.aarp.org/research/assistance/lowincome/2008_03_poverty.html This study examines the extent and possible causes of women's poverty as they move from midlife into their retirement years. The study uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey (NLS) of Mature Women, which is a unique data source that tracked a large number of women from midlife (ages 30-44 in 1967) until they reached retirement years (ages 64-78 in 2001). Respondents were surveyed periodically since 1967, and the survey collected data on a variety of topics including marital status, employment, health, income, and assets throughout a near 35-year period. (p. i) |
Marital StatusStatistic # 2116In a 2008 report on the poverty status of mature women, "poverty increased markedly for those who became widowed or divorced between 1982 and 1992, from a mere 4 percent to 15 percent for white women, and from 18 percent to 42 percent for African-American women." (p. 11) Lee, S., & Shaw, L. (2008). From work to retirement: Tracking changes in women's poverty. Washington, DC: AARP. Retrieved from http://www.aarp.org/research/assistance/lowincome/2008_03_poverty.html This study examines the extent and possible causes of women's poverty as they move from midlife into their retirement years. The study uses data from the National Longitudinal Survey (NLS) of Mature Women, which is a unique data source that tracked a large number of women from midlife (ages 30-44 in 1967) until they reached retirement years (ages 64-78 in 2001). Respondents were surveyed periodically since 1967, and the survey collected data on a variety of topics including marital status, employment, health, income, and assets throughout a near 35-year period. (p. i) |
Marital StatusStatistic # 986In 2005, 42.1% of the population was married or with a partner. In 2005, 68.0% of individuals aged 45-54 were married or with a partner. In 2005, 69.9% of individuals aged 55-64 were married or with a partner. In 2005, 65.4% of individuals aged 65-74 were married or with a partner. In 2005, 51.5% of individuals aged 75-84 were married or with a partner. In 2005, 31.2% of individuals aged 85-94 were married or with a partner. *Note: "An unmarried partner in an unmarried partner household is an adult who is unrelated to the householder, but shares living quarters and has a close personal relationship with the householder. This relationship is based on the self identification of respondents." -U.S. Census Bureau Havens, J. (2006). [Analysis of the U.S. Census Current Population Survey for March 2005]. Unpublished raw data. Center on Wealth and Philanthropy for the Center on Aging & Work / Workplace Flexibility. Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA "The Current Population Survey (CPS) is a monthly survey of about 50,000 households conducted by the Bureau of the Census for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The survey has been conducted for more than 50 years. The CPS is the primary source of information on the labor force characteristics of the U.S. population. The sample is scientifically selected to represent the civilian noninstitutional population. Respondents are interviewed to obtain information about the employment status of each member of the household 15 years of age and older. However, published data focus on those ages 16 and over. The sample provides estimates for the nation as a whole and serves as part of model-based estimates for individual states and other geographic areas. Estimates obtained from the CPS include employment, unemployment, earnings, hours of work, and other indicators...They are available by a variety of demographic characteristics including age, sex, race, marital status, and educational attainment...occupation, industry, and class of worker." |
Marital StatusStatistic # 927"Roughly three-quarters - 76 percent - of informal caregivers are married compared to 79 percent of non-caregivers." (Figure 3, p.3) Center on an Aging Society. (2005, May). Adult children. The likelihood of providing care for an older parent. (Data Profile No. 2). Washington, DC: Center on an Aging Society. Retrieved August 21, 2005, from http://hpi.georgetown.edu/agingsociety/pubhtml/caregiver2/caregiver2.html "This Profile provides an overview of adult children who are primary caregivers to an older parent that needs assistance performing one or more basic everyday activities…Furthermore, this Profile examines adult children that have living parents but are not primary caregivers as well as adults without any living parents. Adult children, non-caregivers and adults without living parents could be caregivers in another capacity, such as a secondary caregiver or a caregiver to a spouse or sibling." |
Marital StatusStatistic # 829"Overall, it is worth noting that women (43%) are more likely than men (30%) to work because they need the income to live on. And single (64%) and divorced (61%) employees are almost twice as likely as those who are married (36%) to continue to work because they need the income to live on." (p.12) MetLife Mature Market Institute. (2006, April). Living longer, working longer: The changing landscape of the aging workforce- a MetLife Study. New York, NY: MetLife Mature Market Institute, DeLong, D., & Zogby International. Retrieved August 10, 2006, from http://www.metlife.com/WPSAssets/93703586101144176243V1FLivingLonger.pdf "This study describes the decisions that older workers are actually making about work and retirement. It reports on their experiences more than their expectations of the journey into retirement, assuming that life stage is not defined by some date, but is rather an ongoing process… It consisted of an interactive online survey conducted by Zogby with a panel of 2,719 respondents. To qualify for the study, participants had to be between the ages of 55-70. Slight weights were added to region, race and gender to more accurately reflect the population of U.S. adults. A primary focus of the 50-question survey was to better understand the experiences and behaviors of the aging workforce, so the survey included many questions asked only of people who were still working or seeking work, either full- or part-time.” |
Marital StatusStatistic # 307In 2003, 14%, 59% and 26% of Hispanic persons age 55 and above lived alone, with a spouse and with other persons, respectively. In 2003, 31%, 42% and 27% of Black persons age 55 and above lived alone, with a spouse and with other persons, respectively. In 2003, 24% of White, 31% of Black and 14% of Hispanic persons age 55 and above lived alone. "This section presents statistics on the growth, distribution, and characteristics of the U.S. population. The principal source of these data is the U.S. Census Bureau, which conducts a decennial census of population, a monthly population survey, a program of population estimates and projections, and a number of other periodic surveys relating to population characteristics." |
Marital StatusStatistic # 47034.5% of persons age 50-61 in the bottom 25% of income earners were divorced in 2000. 19.1% of persons age 62-74 in the bottom 25% of income earners were divorced in 2000. 8.2% of persons age 75 and above in the bottom 25% of income earners were divorced in 2000. AARP. (2002, May). Beyond 50: summary tables and charts. Research report. (Table: Core indicators by age & income data). "Through its analysis of both the status quo and developing trends, Beyond 50: A Report to the Nation on Economic Security provides readers with an in-depth look at the well-being of more than one-quarter of Americans - the 76 million people age 50 and older in 2000." |
Marital StatusStatistic # 4726.4% of persons age 50-61 in the top 25% of income earners were divorced in 2000. 5.6% of persons age 62-74 in the top 25% of income earners were divorced in 2000. 4.4% of persons age 75 and above in the top 25% of income earners were divorced in 2000. AARP. (2002, May). Beyond 50: summary tables and charts. Research report. (Table: Core indicators by age & income data). "Through its analysis of both the status quo and developing trends, Beyond 50: A Report to the Nation on Economic Security provides readers with an in-depth look at the well-being of more than one-quarter of Americans - the 76 million people age 50 and older in 2000." |
Marital StatusStatistic # 47633.6% of persons age 50-61 in the bottom 25% of income earners lived alone in 2000. 46.1% of persons age 62-74 in the bottom 25% of income earners lived alone in 2000. 63.6% of persons age 75 and above in the bottom 25% of income earners lived alone in 2000. AARP. (2002, May). Beyond 50: summary tables and charts. Research report. (Table: Core indicators by age & income data). "Through its analysis of both the status quo and developing trends, Beyond 50: A Report to the Nation on Economic Security provides readers with an in-depth look at the well-being of more than one-quarter of Americans - the 76 million people age 50 and older in 2000." |
Marital StatusStatistic # 4793.8% of persons age 50-61 in the top 25% of income earners lived alone in 2000. 6.1% of persons age 62-74 in the top 25% of income earners lived alone in 2000. 7% of persons age 75 and above in the top 25% of income earners lived alone in 2000. AARP. (2002, May). Beyond 50: summary tables and charts. Research report. (Table: Core indicators by age & income data). "Through its analysis of both the status quo and developing trends, Beyond 50: A Report to the Nation on Economic Security provides readers with an in-depth look at the well-being of more than one-quarter of Americans - the 76 million people age 50 and older in 2000." |
Marital StatusStatistic # 535The labor force participation rate among single women age 65 and above decreased from 19.7% in 1970 to 9.7% in 1998, but increased again to 15.2% in 2003. The labor force participation rate among married females age 65 and above was lower than that of single females age 65 and above but increased over time. In 1970, the labor force participation rate among married females age 65 and above was 7.3% and in 2003 it was 11.3%. The labor force participation rate among single men age 65 and above gradually decreased over time from 25.2% in 1970 to 19.4% in 2003. The labor force participation rate among married males age 65 and above also gradually decreased over time. However, the labor force participation rate among married males has been consistently higher than among single males in this age group. In 1970, 29.9% of married males age 65 and above participated in the labor force. In 2003, 19.9% participated in the labor force. “This section presents statistics on the labor force; its distribution by occupation and industry affiliation; and the supply of, demand for, and conditions of labor. The chief source of these data is the Current Population Survey (CPS) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).” |
Marital StatusStatistic # 620In 1990, 14.2% of men and 48.6% of women age 65 and above were widowed. In 2003, 14.3% of men and 44.3% of women age 65 and above were widowed. "This section presents statistics on the growth, distribution, and characteristics of the U.S. population. The principal source of these data is the U.S. Census Bureau, which conducts a decennial census of population, a monthly population survey, a program of population estimates and projections, and a number of other periodic surveys relating to population characteristics." |
Marital StatusStatistic # 727“Small business owners, 50 or more years old, are somewhat more likely to be legally married (68 percent wage and salaried; 60 percent self-employed; 77 percent small business owners).” (p.4) Center on Aging & Work / Workplace Flexibility. (2005, November).Context matters: Insights about older workers from the National study of the changing workforce. (Research Highlights No. 01).Chestnut Hill, MA: Bond, T. J., Galinsky, M. E., Pitt-Catsouphes, M., & Smyer, A. M. Retrieved July 31, 2006, from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/template_highlights “This report is the first in a series of Research Highlights published by the Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility in collaboration with the Families and Work Institute that present the findings of in-depth analyses of the Families and Work Institute’s 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW). This first issue compares the personal characteristics, employment experiences, and attitudes of workers, 50 or more years old, who are wage and salaried employees, independent self-employed workers, and small business owners…The National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW) is conducted every five years. It surveys large samples of the U.S. workforce to collect information about both the work and personal lives of U.S. workers.” |
Marital StatusStatistic # 752“Older men (80 percent) are more likely than older women (62 percent) to be married or living with a partner, providing them with a potential source of social support.” (Figure 2, p.2)
Center on Aging & Work / Workplace Flexibility. (2005, November). The diverse employment experiences of older men and women in the workforce. (Research Highlights No. 02). Chestnut Hill, MA: Bond, T. J., Galinsky, M. E., Pitt-Catsouphes, M., & Smyer, A. M. Retrieved July 31, 2006, from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/template_highlights “This report is the second in a series of Research Highlights published by the Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility in collaboration with the Families and Work Institute. These Research Highlights present the findings of in-depth analyses of the Families and Work Institute’s 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW). This report compares and contrasts the experiences of men and women, 50 and older, in the U.S. workforce. Gender is an important lens for examining the employment experiences of older workers, in part because the work and family histories of men and women tend to vary across the course of their lives…The National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW) is conducted every five years. It surveys large samples of the U.S. workforce to collect information about both the work and personal lives of U.S. workers.” |
Marital StatusStatistic # 769“While 79 percent of married/partnered women, 50 years and older, live in dual-earner households (where their spouse/partner is employed for pay), only 66 percent of the men, 50 or more years old, live in such dual-earner couples.” (p.3) Center on Aging & Work / Workplace Flexibility. (2005, November). The diverse employment experiences of older men and women in the workforce. (Research Highlights No. 02).Chestnut Hill, MA: Bond, T. J., Galinsky, M. E., Pitt-Catsouphes, M., & Smyer, A. M. Retrieved July 31, 2006, from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/template_highlights “This report is the second in a series of Research Highlights published by the Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility in collaboration with the Families and Work Institute. These Research Highlights present the findings of in-depth analyses of the Families and Work Institute’s 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW). This report compares and contrasts the experiences of men and women, 50 and older, in the U.S. workforce. Gender is an important lens for examining the employment experiences of older workers, in part because the work and family histories of men and women tend to vary across the course of their lives…The National Study of the Changing Workforce (NSCW) is conducted every five years. It surveys large samples of the U.S. workforce to collect information about both the work and personal lives of U.S. workers.” |
Marital StatusStatistic # 2151Analysis of data from the 2002 National Study of the Changing Workforce shows that "among older workers, the odds of being very satisfied with life are 187.8% higher for those in good or excellent health than for those poor or fair health; 146.5% higher for those living with spouses or partners than for those in other living arrangements; and 105.1% higher for those with extra money to save or invest after monthly expenses than for those without such additional funds." (p. 6) Johnson, J. K. M., Pitt-Catsouphes, M., Besen, E., Smyer, M., & Matz-Costa, C. (2008). Quality of employment and life-satisfaction: A relationship that matters for older workers (Issue Brief No. 13). Chestnut Hill, MA: Boston College Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility. Retrieved from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/IB13_LifeSatisfaction.pdf Drawing on data from various sources, this issue brief offers insights about how employment experiences affect the life satisfaction of older workers. |
