Marriage is supposed to be about life-long commitment with someone you love – for richer, for poorer.

But it seems the older generation of women are rather more pragmatic when it comes to getting wed for a second time.

A survey found that almost half of middle-aged women are primarily motivated by the financial advantages of marriage. And the key attraction in such a union was the chance to share their new husband’s pension pot, the poll found.

The importance of hard-headed economics to a decision for a second marriage comes at a time of booming numbers of weddings among older women.

The latest official figures, for 2014, show a record number of 6,638 weddings in England and Wales which involved a bride aged between 55 and 60.

More than 5,000 women who married in their late 50s were divorced, almost 650 were widowed, and fewer than 1,000 were marrying for the first time, according to the Office for National Statistics. Increasing numbers of women are marrying into what would once have been considered old age – numbers of brides over 65 went up by more than half in the five years to 2014.

A survey found that almost half of middle-aged women are primarily motivated by the financial advantages of marriage

The survey of 1,000 women aged over 55, carried out by pollsters Opinium for Investec Wealth & Investment, found that 48 per cent of divorcees and widows who decided to remarry said money was a key reason.

They thought their financial status would be better as wives than as unmarried cohabitee partners. Some 45 per cent said that remarriage was important because it conferred an automatic right to share their new husband’s pension, and they would continue to benefit from the pension if the marriage were to break up or if they were to be widowed.

More than a third, 36 per cent, cited the guaranteed right to inherit from their husband.

Almost a quarter said the inheritance tax advantage of married couples was an important factor. Husbands and wives can inherit from each other untaxed and in some cases a widow who leaves her estate to her children or grandchildren can bequeath as much as £850,000 tax-free.

But Investec warned that marriage could complicate the financial arrangements of women with children from an earlier relationship. Nearly three quarters of divorced women who remarry in middle age ensure some of their assets are kept separate from those of their new husband, the survey found. The pragmatic financial reasoning of the growing number of women who remarry in their late 50s and later comes at a time of unprecedented changes in the lives of many older people.

While marriage among over-55s has reached a record level, there has also been a wave of divorces in that age group.

While marriage among over-55s has reached a record level, there has also been a wave of divorces in that age group

One key reason analysts believe marriage breakdown among the middle-aged is becoming more common is the growing financial independence of women.

Helen Medhurst-Jackson, of Investec, said: ‘Money alone does not guarantee a successful marriage but whether we like it or not it is a key factor, and that is well recognised by those women who have already married.

‘Most later-life marriages involve both partners bringing their own financial assets and these often vary in type and value.

‘The decision around whether these are shared or kept separate from their new partner needs to be taken at the start to avoid confusion if the marriage ends in death or divorce.

‘It is also important to agree an inheritance plan, particularly for couples with children from previous relationships.’