Lisa McCluskey
Silver or gray divorce has doubled since the 1990s and for those over 65, the divorce rate has tripled, according to the Pew Research Center. Silver divorce is a term used to refer to people who are age 50 plus and who have been in a long-term marriage (greater than 10 years) and are divorcing.
Forty percent of those getting divorced today are 50 and older, with one-in-four divorces among those age 65 plus. According to a 2024 report by Forbes, 42 percent of people aged 45-54 have been divorced, 46 percent of those age 55-64, and 39 percent of those age 65-74. Divorce has also affected those age 75 or older, with 24 percent reporting a divorce.
“Splitting up after a decades-long marriage and divorcing after the age of 50 has its own unique set of challenges,” said Lisa McCluskey, founder of the Silver Divorce Podcast. “Inheritances, 401(k)s, IRAs, properties, co-owned businesses, pensions, a stock portfolio, and Social Security all contribute to a complex divorce. Managing adult, grandchildren, and sometimes pre-teen or teenage children adds to the challenge of the new family dynamic.
“The financial losses come at a time when people do not have years to recover. According to a 2021 study in the Journals of Gerontology, women in Silver divorce experience a 45 percent decline in their standard of living post-divorce, while men are likely to have a 21 percent reduction.”
The Silver Divorce Podcast was created to share education, stories, and support to help people age 50 plus facing divorce navigate the complexities of the divorce process and manage the emotional trauma and pain that divorce inflicts. “While I am not an attorney or counselor,” said Ms. McCluskey, “Our expert guests include financial advisors, therapists, certified public accountants, life coaches, pastors, and more to provide education and guidance during a confusing time.”
Since its launch on March 22, the podcast has had more than 5,000 plays. The Silver Divorce Podcast is produced by the Whitfield Media Group and edited by Tyler Owens. The Silver Divorce Podcast is available anywhere you get your podcasts.
About the host: Lisa McCluskey is a retired healthcare executive who was "blindsided by divorce" after a 34-year marriage. She founded the Silver Divorce Podcast to share the knowledge and education she gained during her divorce process, in order to help other people avoid the pitfalls she fell into. This podcast is her mission and labor of love.