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Women leaving partners after retirement

(58 Posts)
Truffle43 Sun 01-Feb-26 15:23:28

I meet lots of people when volunteering and I have met several men who have been devastated as their wives have walked out after he has retired.
I honestly think that the men think it’s a sudden decision not that it has been years in the making.
They cannot understand what they have done wrong. I think there must of been issues previously but they haven’t seen it.
Do these wives manage during their working lives but on being home 24/7 with a retired husband think I am done and cannot do this anymore. I fully understand and am not judging just curious. Any insights into this?

Norah Tue 03-Feb-26 16:15:42

Youngerthanspringtime I'm not in the least surprised when women make the break, I'm more surprised that more don't. Sometimes they stay to keep face or sometimes don't know how to go about it.

Agreed. No surprise here, I'd not want to live in an unhappy home.

Nanny27 Tue 03-Feb-26 17:23:54

SORES

Nanny27, the fifties are well behind us.

Not sure what you mean by this Sores. Surely you can’t mean that it’s an old fashioned concept for a married couple to support each other through difficult times.

Isla71 Mon 09-Feb-26 00:07:54

Theworriedwell. Not in my case. Former husband had everything planned, and probably had for some years whilst we were both working. Put the house up for sale at late retirement in our 70s and, at exchange of contracts, he said we couldn't live together. Actually, he said a lot more. I have had a few years to reflect. Although I worked full time, he came first and I thought I was loyal and supportive so that he could concentrate on his career. He literally controlled everything throughout the marriage - except for the cooking, housework and child care. It actually helps putting this down in writing. Thank you to anyone reading or commenting. Good luck and best wishes to those going out on their own in later life.

seasider Mon 09-Feb-26 05:28:36

@Isla71 that must have been a terrible shock . I hope your treatment is are happy and settled now .

seasider Mon 09-Feb-26 05:29:30

That should say I hope you are settled and happy now !

DaisyAnneReturns Mon 09-Feb-26 10:29:32

Nanny27

I don't think it's brave to walk out on your marriage unless of course there has been abuse. Retirement is a huge milestone in a man's life and maybe support is what's needed.

Wow. That statement carries a lot of hidden assumptions. It pretends complexity doesn’t exist. It assigns gendered duty and mistakes endurance for bravery. I don't for one moment think you meant to be cruel but that is how it sounds. Did you really mean to say "stay unless someone is hitting you"?

imaround Tue 10-Feb-26 12:49:50

It has a trendy name, Gray Divorce.

Since my own children are now adults and my husband is on the verge of retirement. I can see how it happens. It is a huge adjustment.

www.npr.org/2025/08/21/nx-s1-5507175/whats-behind-the-trend-of-so-called-gray-divorces