A third of married pensioners keep some assets secret from spouses, survey finds
Almost a third (31 percent) of married people ages 65 and older keep their assets secret from their spouses, according to a survey. A seventh (14%) of these older individuals admitted hiding assets worth £50,000 or more, according to research from Co-op Legal Services.
Almost two fifths (38 per cent) said they stayed married for practical reasons; cited financial comfort and property concerns as the main factors preventing separation; 16 percent think it is easier financially to stay married. In the majority of couples surveyed (58 percent), men manage the financial affairs of the house.
10 percent of those whose spouses hold the money feel uneasy, 22 percent are worried about how they will manage the financial situation if their spouse dies, and 14 percent say they are worried because they do not know how much money they have.
In addition to financial imbalances, domestic imbalances were also revealed in the research. Among retired couples, 15% of men and 49% of women said they did most of the housework.
Financial circumstances varied widely among older couples surveyed; A quarter (26%) said they had less than £10,000 in total savings, while one in 10 (12%) said they owned property worth £500,000 or more.
Nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents believe it is “too late” to divorce after age 65, but 12% said they have considered divorce.
The post-Christmas period in early January is often considered a time when marital problems come to a head.
Ben Evans, family lawyer at Co-op Legal Services, said: “These findings suggest that a significant number of older couples are quietly dissatisfied in their marriages but feel financially or practically locked in.”
He added: “Courts consider a wide range of factors and exercise discretion when deciding on a fair resolution. “Even if a person believes that one financial resource is not relevant or does not belong to another, it still needs to be disclosed and the court will decide the significance of this.
“Equally, no one should feel pressured to reach an agreement or be stuck in their own circumstances. Options are available to provide financial support, even temporarily or during legal proceedings, and the court has wide discretion to ensure a level playing field. This is particularly important where one party is in a stronger financial position than the other.”
The survey of 1,000 married people aged over 65 across the UK was conducted by Opinion Matters in November and December 2025.
