Now why might older women be more miserable than older men?

[EvilAntsAndMiasmas]

This article makes some good points.

But despite acknowledging that "Wealth is closely associated with all aspects of well-being...More affluent individuals have fewer depressive symptoms, greater life satisfaction, better quality of life and lower levels of loneliness." they don't make the connection with older women living in poverty perhaps having an impact on their wellbeing.

The stat I heard the other day said that only 30% of women retire with an entitlement to the full state pension, versus 70% of men.

meh.

I remember my Granny being particularly unhappy when Grandad retired because he didn't help around the house so she still had to do everything, just with him getting in the way

My Dad's mum was happier when she was older (certainly happier than my grandad - as he died!) because suddenly she was free to do what she wanted after years of oppression and not a little amount of verbal and emotional abuse . She had his pension and wasn't short of money as she down-sized the house.

My Mum's mum was probably unhappier for the same reasons as seth mentioned. But then her huband died suddenly and she was even more unhappy then . She wasn't short of cash either as my Grandad had a very healthy pension left to her. But she was lonely.

My mum has retired and isn't entitled to a full state pension but does have other pensions. She would probably say that she was happier now she doesn't live with my Dad but I think financially she finds it difficult and I do think that is a factor on her well being. Thankfully I am in a position to be able to help her out in that area. My Dad is more lonely though.

So I think in my mum's case you are quite correct it does have an impact on her well-being especially as she lives alone and can't share the financial burden. In the case of my Dad's mum though I don't think money had much to do with her wellbeing. Being free of her abusive husband did!