Stability of Cohabiting Unions in Later Life

Jonathan E. Vespa, Ohio State University

This study explores cohabitation stability among older adults (age 50+), focusing specifically on the role of economic resources. Using data from the 1998–2006 Health and Retirement Study and event history models, I find that roughly two thirds of later-life cohabiting unions are intact after 2 years and half are intact after 5 years. The oldest female cohabiters (65+) have the most stable unions that are also the least likely to end in marriage compared to other older cohabiters. Further, wealth facilitates marriage among older male cohabiters but actually deters it among female cohabiters who are at least 65 years old. These findings lend support to Becker’s gender-specific independence hypothesis in that cohabiting women’s economic resources decrease their likelihood of marriage. My study is the first to provide estimates of cohabitation stability among older adults. Its findings also suggest that cohabitation during older adulthood may serve as a long-term marital alternative for some female cohabiters.