ALLIANCE FOR LIFETIME INCOME SPONSORS “THE GOLDEN BACHELORETTE: LOVE NEVER AGES” FIRESIDE CHAT IN D.C. ALONGSIDE DISNEY AND THE MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION
The success of Joan Vassos celebrates women looking for love in the second half of life and puts a spotlight on the changing the face of age in America.
Washington, D.C. — Coming on the heels of the sweeping success of last year’s The Golden Bachelor, which premiered last year to historic records on Hulu,[1] The Golden Bachelorette and its star Joan Vassos shine important visibility on older Americans dating in the United States and some of the unique challenges women face as they age.
At the October 30 fireside chat hosted by the Motion Picture Association in Washington, D.C., Joan said, “What I really think the show is about is people like me. It’s about the millions of people out there that have lost, or somehow found themselves single in their 50s, 60s and 70s, and they still want to have love. If the show has inspired anybody, then this is a win for me.”
Recent Alliance research found that 42 percent [2] of U.S. women aged 61-65 identify as single, widowed or divorced. Women are also living longer on average than men – 80.4 years compared to 75 years[3] – making financial security an essential part of the story. Television shows that celebrate late-in-life love not only help destigmatize dating by older Americans, but also highlights the fact that Americans are living longer than ever before and need to plan for income that needs to last 20, 30, or more additional years.
While Joan Vassos had a successful career and is still working, many women face a serious savings shortfall. This year, more than 4.1 million Americans will turn 65, entering what the Alliance for Lifetime Income calls the Peak 65 Zone—a historic surge continuing through 2027. An alarming 51% of women in the Peak 65® Zone have less than $100,000 in assets. Among single women, this number jumps to 67%, highlighting a growing financial crisis among retirement-age women.
“You have to get comfortable in your new life. Whether it’s with somebody or not with somebody. We lived in a world of couples. All of the sudden, I had a lot of girlfriends, but I didn’t have any couple friends anymore. So that whole element of my life was gone,” Vasos said, “and I didn’t feel like I had the financial security I had before. Even though I had my own money, I still didn’t feel as secure as I did before.”
“It’s inspiring to see stories like Joan’s, which show how exciting and fulfilling life can be and that it’s never too late to plan,” said Jean Statler, CEO of the Alliance for Lifetime Income. “But against this hopeful backdrop is the reality is that millions of women face serious financial shortfalls as they age. Partnering with Disney and The Motion Picture Association, and getting the chance to hear from Joan Vassos, was an important way to raise awareness of our mission. Hosting this event in Washington, D.C., also spotlights the looming retirement income crisis – especially to the legislators and regulators who face hard decisions about the future of retirement in a post-pension era.”
[1] Cosmopolitan, “‘The Golden Bachelorette’ Is Officially Happening: Here’s What We Know,” by Samantha Olson, October 10, 2024
[2] Alliance for Lifetime Income Protected Retirement Income and Planning Study, 2024
[3] CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Life Expectancy, Mortality in the United States
About the Alliance for Lifetime Income
The Alliance for Lifetime Income (ALI) is a non-profit 501(c)(6) consumer education organization based in Washington, D.C., that creates awareness and educates Americans about the value and importance of having protected income in retirement. Our vision is for a country where no American has to face the prospect of running out of money in retirement. The Alliance provides consumers and financial professionals with unique educational resources and interactive tools to use in building retirement income strategies and plans. We believe annuities – one of only three sources of protected lifetime income – can be an important part of the solution for retirement security in America. The Alliance’s Retirement Income Institute houses the leading retirement scholars and experts in retirement income who create evidence-based research and analysis, with practical ideas and actions to help protect retirees. For more information about the Alliance, visit www.protectedincome.org.