Many people, especially those who have been divorced or widowed, are marrying after 50, with remarriage rates increasing significantly since 1960, although staying single is also a common outcome, with about one-third of adults over 50 remaining single, though many are open to dating or remarriage for companionship and fulfillment in longer lifespans.
45 to 54 years – 63% will remarry. 55 to 64 years – 67% will remarry. 65 years and older – 50% will remarry.
The 777 rule for marriage is a relationship guideline to keep couples connected by scheduling specific, regular quality time: a date night every 7 days, a night away (getaway) every 7 weeks, and a romantic holiday every 7 months, often without kids, to foster intimacy, reduce stress, and prevent routine from overtaking the relationship. It's about consistent, intentional efforts to prioritize the partnership.
More people are getting married after 50 than ever before. Our culture is more accepting of divorce, and so it makes sense that more people are marrying or remarrying in our 50s. A person whose spouse dies, is also more likely to remarry than not, so there are more ``available'' 50+ partners than ever before.
Studies show that the chances of finding love later in life are surprisingly good. Yes I said good! During to a survey done by the AARP, nearly 45% of people aged 50 and older are dating or open to dating.
The 2-2-2 rule for marriage is a guideline to keep a relationship strong and connected: have a date night every two weeks, a weekend getaway every two months, and a week-long vacation every two years. This system encourages regular, intentional quality time, breaks from routine, and deeper connection by ensuring couples prioritize each other amidst daily life, work, and family, preventing stagnation and fostering fun.
Dating in your 50s and beyond may seem harder, but there are many ways to meet new people, from mutual connections to social groups and even online. It's important to make smart decisions when dating. Learn tips to keep yourself safe while having fun.
Historically, remaining single was largely seen as a negative. And while some people still hold this view, many have come to recognise the many benefits that come with staying single. For example, being single at 50 provides the opportunity to focus on yourself, invest time in what makes you happy, and try new things.
I've been helping couples in the context of marriage counseling for about a decade and a half. In that time, I've noticed something: the prime number years of relationships are often the hardest (i.e. 1, 3. 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29…)
Whether you're 40, 60, 102, or somewhere in between, it's never too late to get married. "Ultimately, the choice to marry at any age should hinge on personal readiness, compatibility with one's partner and individual circumstances," says Davtyan.
1. Lack of Honesty. Often when we think of honesty, notably honesty in marital relationships, we think of a very tangible “where were you last night” kind of honesty. While this is obviously critically important, there are many other kinds of dishonesty that can destroy marriages.
The 5-5-5 rule in marriage refers to two main communication techniques: one where couples spend 5 minutes each speaking and 5 minutes dialoguing (5-5-5), and another where a person asks if an issue will matter in 5 minutes, 5 days, and 5 years to gain perspective. Both methods aim to de-escalate conflict, encourage active listening, and focus on long-term understanding rather than immediate reactions, fostering healthier communication and connection.
They understand that there are far more important principles at play.
Contempt. Of all the predictive factors, contempt is the most prominent one. Based on extensive research, Dr Gottman names the 'Four Horsemen' or four communication habits that are the best predictors of divorce.
This phenomenon is becoming increasingly common: in the U.S., roughly one in three divorces now involves individuals over 50, according to CNN (2022).
The four behaviors that predict over 90% of divorces, known as Dr. John Gottman's "Four Horsemen," are Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling, which erode connection, respect, and safety, leading to relationship breakdown. These destructive communication patterns, if persistent, signal that a marriage is likely to end, with contempt being the most damaging.
There are also other warning signs, and if one or more of them are present in your relationship, it may be time to take action.
Relationships ebb and flow. Plus, if you and your S.O. survived the dreaded two-year mark (i.e. the most common time period when couples break up), then you're destined to be together forever…
A 2002 study found that two-thirds of unhappy adults who stayed together were happy five years later. They also found that those who divorced were no happier, on average, than those who stayed together. In other words, most people who are unhappily married—or cohabiting—end up happy if they stick at it.
The "3x3 rule" in marriage is a guideline for balancing individual and couple time, suggesting each partner gets three hours of alone time per week and the couple spends three hours of quality time together, often recommended for busy parents to reduce resentment and reconnect by scheduling protected "me time" and dedicated "us time". It's a strategy to ensure both personal well-being and relationship connection are prioritized, preventing burnout and rekindling sparks through intentional, scheduled breaks and shared experiences.
Unwillingness to Discuss the Past
One of the most significant red flags when dating in your 50s is a partner who is reluctant to discuss their past. By this age, everyone has a history, including previous relationships, marriages, or divorces.
U.S. law is set up so that people who divorce and remarry after getting a green card through marriage are expected to wait at least five years after they got their permanent residence before petitioning for a new spouse to receive the same benefit.
The 777 dating rule is a relationship strategy for intentional connection, suggesting couples schedule a date every 7 days, an overnight getaway every 7 weeks, and a longer vacation every 7 months to keep the spark alive, build memories, and prevent disconnection from daily life. It's about consistent, quality time, not necessarily grand gestures, and focuses on undivided attention to strengthen intimacy and partnership over time.
But it does provide some rough guidelines as to how soon may be too soon to make long-term commitments and how long may be too long to stick with a relationship. Each of the three numbers—three, six, and nine—stands for the month that a different common stage of a relationship tends to end.
✨ The infamous “666 Rule” says the perfect man must be 6 feet tall, make 6 figures, and have 6-pack abs… but is that real love or just unrealistic standards? 👀 Find out what's really behind the hype — and how it impacts dating today — on a brand-new episode of Sex Solutions with Dr.