Is Marriage Still Important to Over 50 Singles?

We all know that dating over 50 isn't the same as dating when you are younger. A good number of your friends are probably married and have been for years. No matter your reasoning for dating over 50, you probably have a lot of questions. Today we are going to take a look at one of those questions.

Is Marriage Still Important to Over 50 Singles?

At first glance, this may seem like a simple question. It is phrased as a yes or no question. The answer isn't that simple.

Whether marriage matters to a single over 50 depends on the person who you are asking. For most people, they are just interested in finding a partner. From there they will decide what they want.

Often times those who are religious will want to get married again and their focus will be to find a serious partner. This is not always the case.

Some people who are over 50 and single just want to date and enjoy their lives. There is a lot of fun and life still available to those over 50. Even fun that doesn't involve being married or even in a traditional relationship. More and more people are deciding to go for alternative living arrangements and that includes those who are singles over 50.

What To Consider

No matter who you are there are some things you will need to consider before you get married to someone later in life. Take a look at some of the pros and cons to consider when getting married over 50.

What Marriage Means To You

One of the first things you need to consider is your views on marriage. Is marriage an institution for you? Do you need or want a formal bond to your relationship? It is important that marriage be a discussion and you talk about it with your partner to understand their view.

Sharing Costs

A lot of people decide to get married over 50 in order to share the costs for the various expenses that they encounter. With the current costs of living, this is a perfectly reasonable idea. However, you have to factor in that some costs may go up when you move in together. Another thing to keep in mind is that many people live together without being married now.

How Your Past Relationship Ended (If Applicable)

We learn from the past. Balancing learning from the past with being open to new experiences. Depending on how your past relationship(s) ended you may want to consider trying to live together without getting married first. Getting married can cause issues if you decide to breakup. Taking your time is a great approach.

Tax Season

Depending on your specific tax status and earnings, you may benefit from filing as a married person. However, taxes are very complicated and we recommend doing your research before deciding filing jointly is the best option for you. There may also be certain circumstances when you can file separately but be married. If you have questions, a tax expert can help you gather more information.

Medical Insurance and Benefits

Having coverage in case of an emergency or for health needs is important. In many states it can be difficult to share your workplace benefits or retirement benefits with someone you are not married to. Some couples decide to get married simply for the peace of mind that should they need to pay for medical assistance, the help is there.

On the other hand, some benefits may be lost or adjusted depending on your relationship status and income. It would likely be beneficial to look into your finances and benefits to determine how they will change. If they will change at all.

Inheritance and Family

What happens when you die can be a big concern for some people. Others don't have much of an opinion. However, considering the ramifications of getting married on inheritance and family is something you should consider. Do you have a significant amount of property that you may want your family to inherit. This may not be a reason to forgo getting married though as there are options such as getting a prenuptial agreement or setting up a will.

These are just some of the things you may want to consider before deciding whether you want to get married as a single over 50. Every person is different and what matters to you might not matter to someone else. Use this article as a starting point to consider what matters to you.