TOKYO – A 64-year-old Japanese housewife has been forced to start a new life as a cleaner after her husband divorced her shortly after retirement, leaving her almost financially destitute.
According to The Gold Online, Matsuda Etsuko (pseudonym) spent 30 years as a full-time homemaker, raising two children while her husband, Matsuda Seiichi (pseudonym), worked nearly 40 years at a large corporation. Upon his retirement this spring, he received a retirement payout of 30 million yen (approximately S$286,000) and promptly filed for divorce, claiming married life had become “too burdensome” and that he wished to pursue his personal interests.
Etsuko had hoped for a fair division of assets, but discovered that only 6 million yen (S$57,000) remained in the account. When she inquired, her husband vaguely cited “investments” and “living expenses,” while later reports indicated funds may have been redirected for his new relationship.
Starting Over: Elderly Employment Challenges
With almost no personal savings and a national pension of roughly 70,000 yen (S$670) per month, Etsuko now faces the harsh reality of supporting herself in retirement. She has enrolled in high-age employment programmes, seeking cleaning and other basic labour roles to regain financial independence.
“This came too suddenly, but I have to start over,” Etsuko said. Her case highlights the risks faced by homemakers without financial assets and the urgent need for retirement planning and divorce asset protection.
Lessons on Financial Independence
Experts stress that long-term financial independence for housewives is crucial. Maintaining separate accounts, understanding retirement benefits, and legal safeguards can prevent such financial hardship in later life.
This story is a stark reminder of how vulnerable spouses can be in retirement divorce cases, especially when dependent entirely on a partner’s income. For Singaporeans planning retirement, the case underscores the importance of personal savings, retirement funds, and financial literacy.
Etsuko’s journey serves as both a cautionary tale and an encouragement for older adults to remain proactive about their financial security, even if they have spent decades managing a household.