Marry Younger Partner, Live Longer

[Take 2]

This subject came up in discussing the difference in ages of Fred Thompson, John McCain & their wives.

Basically, women live longer when married to younger men, and men live longer when married to younger women.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/en...RVAbstractPlus

This could make an interesting underwriting criterion (that probably isn't practical). It also ignores the possibility that there is something atypically attractive about the older partner that results in the marriage, e.g., health, wealth, or positive attitude, which also tends to lower mortality.

[Actuary321]

Jay Leno suggested the 'Sugar Daddy' or 'Sugar Mommy' syndrome.

[SirVLCIV]

Originally Posted by Take 2

This subject came up in discussing the difference in ages of Fred Thompson, John McCain & their wives.

Basically, women live longer when married to younger men, and men live longer when married to younger women.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/en...RVAbstractPlus

This could make an interesting underwriting criterion (that probably isn't practical). It also ignores the possibility that there is something atypically attractive about the older partner that results in the marriage, e.g., health, wealth, or positive attitude, which also tends to lower mortality.

Are the women/men marrying older/younger men/women the same age at marriage?

A woman aged 40 marrying a man aged 30 would likely have a higher expected age at death than a woman aged 30 marrying a man aged 40, just based on conditionally reaching age 40, no?

[Incredible Hulctuary]

Originally Posted by SirVLCIV

Are the women/men marrying older/younger men/women the same age at marriage?

A woman aged 40 marrying a man aged 30 would likely have a higher expected age at death than a woman aged 30 marrying a man aged 40, just based on conditionally reaching age 40, no?

That's if they added people to the study as they got married. But this looks like a historical study of dead married people after the fact.

It would be a big mistake to apply findings from this study to modern-day couples, given the time period of the couples studied (1688 to 1921). The longevity scene is a whole different ball game today, with life expectancy having just about doubled since those times.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised if a modern-day study had similar results. In almost every case where there is a 10+ year difference in age, if the man is older he will have income and/or wealth significantly higher than average, and if the woman is 10+ years older she will look very young for her age (meaning she keeps herself in good physical shape and/or just ages slower than normal).

[SirVLCIV]

Originally Posted by Incredible Hulctuary

That's if they added people to the study as they got married. But this looks like a historical study of dead married people after the fact.

It would be a big mistake to apply findings from this study to modern-day couples, given the time period of the couples studied (1688 to 1921). The longevity scene is a whole different ball game today, with life expectancy having just about doubled since those times.

Still, I wouldn't be surprised if a modern-day study had similar results. In almost every case where there is a 10+ year difference in age, if the man is older he will have income and/or wealth significantly higher than average, and if the woman is 10+ years older she will look very young for her age (meaning she keeps herself in good physical shape and/or just ages slower than normal).

Aha, I didn't look at the specs of the study. Thanks for that.


And... my experiences agree with the woman 10+ years older than the man.

[tommie frazier]

Originally Posted by Incredible Hulctuary

The longevity scene is a whole different ball game today...

I find this very funny way. I do not doubt it is true at all. just funny wording.