Given current and projected divorce rates, many people will find themselves faced with being divorced in their later years. To determine if the way of becoming single affects well being, a matched sample of 40 divorced and widowed elderly women were compared. Results showed that the method of becoming single had some differential impact but overall there was little difference between the two groups. The divorced individuals reported a slightly lower level of physical and psychological well being. Children of both groups helped their parents equally. The divorced and widowed showed a similar ranking of consumer concerns, but the divorced elderly were less satisfied with their current financial situation. Results indicated that both groups were highly independent and feared becoming dependent. The data suggest that the post-marriage elderly population as a whole shares similar stresses and concerns. (Author/JAC)