A 3rd of married pensioners maintain some property secret from spouses, survey finds | EUROtoday

Almost a 3rd (31 per cent) of married individuals aged 65 and over have stored property secret from their partner, a survey signifies. One in seven (14 per cent) of those older people admitted to concealing property price £50,000 or extra, in accordance with analysis for Co-op Legal Services.

Nearly two-fifths (38 per cent) mentioned they continue to be married for sensible causes, citing monetary comfort and property issues as main elements stopping separation, with 16 per cent discovering it financially simpler to remain married. Men handle family funds within the majority (58 per cent) of {couples} surveyed.

Of these whose partner handles the cash, 10% really feel uneasy, 22% fear about coping financially if their companion dies, and 14% say they really feel anxious as a result of they have no idea how a lot cash they’ve.

As effectively as monetary imbalances, there have been additionally some home imbalances within the survey. Among retired {couples}, 15% of males mentioned they do the vast majority of family chores, as did 49% of girls.

Financial circumstances assorted broadly among the many older {couples} surveyed, with 1 / 4 (26%) having lower than £10,000 in mixed financial savings, whereas multiple in 10 (12%) mentioned they personal property valued at £500,000 or extra.

Around 1 / 4 (24%) of individuals surveyed consider that after 65, it’s “too late” to divorce, though 12% of individuals mentioned they’d thought of divorce.

The post-Christmas interval of early January is usually thought of a time when issues in marriages come to a head.

Ben Evans, a household lawyer at Co-op Legal Services, mentioned: “These findings suggest that a significant number of older couples are quietly unsatisfied in their marriages but feel financially or practically locked in.”

He added: “Courts consider a wide range of factors and apply discretion when determining a fair settlement. Even if one person believes a financial resource isn’t relevant or doesn’t belong to the other, it must still be disclosed, and the court will decide its significance.

“Equally, no individual should feel pressured into an agreement or trapped in their circumstances. There are options available to secure financial support, even on an interim basis or during legal proceedings, and the court has a wide discretion to ensure an even playing field. This is particularly important where one side is in the stronger financial position over the other.”

The survey amongst 1,000 married individuals aged 65-plus throughout the UK was carried out by Opinion Matters in November and December 2025.