Objectives: Nonmarital cohabitation has increased substantially among older adults. Our objective was to enhance understanding of cohabitation by comparing elderly cohabiters with the married according to socioeconomic status and union dissolution.
Methods: We used population registration data on Finns aged 65 years and older living with a cohabiting partner or a married spouse in 1997 (n = 140,902). The participants were characterized according to various socioeconomic indicators and followed for separation, institutionalization, bereavement, and death until 2002.
Results: Elderly cohabitation almost doubled between 1990 and 2003, with 3.4% of men and 2.1% of women currently cohabiting. Low educational attainment, low occupational social class, and living in rented housing were associated with cohabiting rather than being married. Low income among men but high income among women predicted cohabitation. Cohabiting unions were more likely than marriages to end through separation, institutionalization, bereavement, and death, with the highest excess risk being for separation. These effects were mostly independent of socioeconomic factors.
Discussion: In socioeconomic terms, elderly cohabiters are mostly less privileged than the married. Nonmarital unions seem somewhat less protective than marriages against institutionalization and death. The substantially higher risk of separation also puts cohabiters at higher risk of losing potential care and support provided by coresident partners.