Women over 50 choosing the single life

Life starts at 50 – particularly for over 600,000* older women in the UK opting for the single life.

Findings from Opinium Research reveal that one in five (21 per cent) women over-fifty are going solo, with further data suggesting the number of Swofties (Single Women Over Fifty) has risen by just over five per cent in the last 10 years*.

A quarter (25 per cent) of single women over 50 say they’ve never been happier, more than one in 10 (17 per cent) say they have a great social life costing them in the region of £78 a month**.  Many (19 per cent) are also using social networking sites and actively dating (17 per cent).

But while the Swofties appear to be living life to the full, many are not as in control of their finances. A quarter (26 per cent) of these has no financial plan for their future and a third (33 per cent) know little or nothing about the State Pension.

The Department for Work and Pensions is calling on Swofties to ensure they are prepared for later life. State Pension changes coming into force next April will mean more women than ever will qualify for a State Pension – of the 180,000 women who reach State Pension age next year an additional 40,000 will get a full basic State Pension as a result. However, 20,000 more women could also get the full amount and even more top up the amount they receive if they take action now.

The findings demonstrate that a large proportion of these unattached female fifty- and sixty- somethings are also reinventing themselves, with a fifth (23 per cent) choosing to diet, a quarter (26 per cent) volunteering for good causes and five in ten (47 per cent) learning new skills. For those learning a new skill, computer skills are the most popular courses taken (32 per cent) along with learning foreign languages (25 per cent) and cooking (7 per cent).

Pensions expert, Jasmine Birtles comments:

“It's great to see so many women enjoying their later years but it’s also important these women take stock of their financial situation to ensure they have a nest-egg for their retirement.

"In the past, millions of women who opted to stay at home and care for family and children will have missed out on pension cash in retirement, but from April, changes will mean more women will be able to build up a full basic State Pension. However, it's important all women act now to find out how the changes will impact on them and how they can make the most of their State Pension so they can make the most of later life. ”

Christine Northam, Relate, the UK largest provider of relationship counselling, counsellor comments:

“We’re seeing more and more women entering their fifties and sixties single, and many of these women are embracing this opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people and really enjoy this phase of their lives. The stereotype of the sad old spinster is really a myth, with many of these women more glamorous and in control of their lives than they’ve ever been, making the most of these golden years.”

* According to ONS data, in 2007 there were 602,200 women aged 50+ categorising themselves as single. In 1997 there were 570,500. The number of ‘singletons’ has therefore risen by 31,700 or 5.5%.

** Opinium research shows the average single fifty or sixty-something woman spends around £18 a week on average on going out.