Income Pooling in Midlife: A Comparison of Remarried and Cohabiting Relationships
2024
Income Pooling in Midlife: A Comparison of Remarried and Cohabiting Relationships
Sample size: 888
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Matthew Wright, Tatum Schwartz, Susan Brown, Wendy Manning
Primary Institution: Appalachian State University
Hypothesis
Cohabitation and remarriage are distinct in middle age.
Conclusion
Cohabitors are less likely to pool income compared to remarried individuals, but this difference decreases with age.
Supporting Evidence
- The share of midlife cohabitors has risen in recent decades.
- Cohabitation may allow partners to maintain economic autonomy.
- Cohabitation can provide economies of scale without legal obligations.
Takeaway
This study looks at how couples who live together without being married share their money compared to those who are remarried, finding that living together means they share less money.
Methodology
The study used the Families and Relationships Survey to compare income pooling practices.
Participant Demographics
U.S. adults aged 50-65.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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