Michael Cole, 56, was overcome by "chronic feelings of hopelessness" and directed his anger towards Susan, 53, Exeter Crown Court heard.
The couple, who had no children, had both lost their jobs and and faced the prospect of having their home being repossessed when their savings ran out.
Cole had tried to convince his wife to make a suicide pact but she refused.
He killed her with a hammer and knife and remained with her body at their home in Torquay for two days before calling the police on March 13 to confess.
Cole then tried to take his own life but survived.
Paul Dunkels, QC, in mitigation, said the couple had both worked in the past but were living on benefits at the time. More
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