9 Surprising Ways Marriage Can Make You Richer

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Marriage can be a wonderful thing, and not just because of the potential for lifelong companionship. Tying the knot can be a great financial decision, too.

When you get married, you'll be eligible for some key tax breaks, and there are a number of other advantages that will ultimately help you build wealth. Take a look at these examples of how marriage can make you richer.

1. There's a larger standard tax deduction

Under the 2018 tax law, every married couple filing jointly is eligible for a standard deduction of $24,000. That's nearly double from the previous law and exactly twice the standard deduction for single people. This standard deduction is more important than ever, as the new tax law does not allow for as much itemizing of deductions. (See also: 12 Things You Should Know About the New Tax Law)

2. You may save on taxes if filing jointly

Much has been said about the so-called "marriage penalty" in which couples could face a higher tax rate if they file jointly. But in truth, this was not an issue for most people, and the new tax law makes it even less likely that married couples will be penalized.

In fact, in most cases under the 2018 tax law, there won't be much difference between your taxes if you file separately or jointly. But it could be very advantageous for couples to file jointly if one spouse makes considerably more than the other.

To illustrate this, let's say you earn $37,000 in taxable income. Under the 2018 tax law, you'd be in the 12 percent tax bracket and pay $4,440 in tax if filing separately. Now let's say your spouse earns $190,000 per year and pays $60,080, based on the 32 percent tax bracket, also filing separately. If you file jointly instead, you'd report a combined income of $227,000 and would be in the 24 percent tax bracket. You would pay $54,480 in tax, a savings of nearly $10,000.

3. You have more buying power

When you get married, you are pooling financial resources. If both of you have assets and income, then you have greater ability to make purchases. It means you may be more likely to afford a down payment on a home, and have more ability to handle the monthly mortgage. It means you may become more attractive to lenders, though it is worth noting that you will still each have separate credit scores.

4. You can contribute to an IRA even if you don't work

If you want to contribute to an individual retirement account (IRA), you must have earned income. But there are exceptions, most notably in the form of a spousal IRA. With a spousal IRA, each spouse can have their own IRA, as long as one of the spouses has earned income. For most people, the limit of contributions on each account is $5,500 annually, so the total contributions allowed for married couples doubles to $11,000. The only catch to a spousal IRA is that couples must file their taxes jointly. (See also: 4 Ways Couples Are Shortchanging Their Retirement Savings)

5. You can receive Social Security spousal benefits

When you file for Social Security benefits, you can file for your own benefits or under your spouse's. Even if you did not earn any income during your life, you can receive benefits through your spouse. Usually, spousal benefits are up to half your spouse's normal Social Security benefit. You'll also be able to receive spousal benefits even after your spouse passes on.

6. You may spend less on health care

There is considerable evidence that being married can make you healthier. Married couples look out for one another. They keep each other on track regarding diet and exercise, and a spouse is often the first person to notice when you appear unwell.

The Harvard Health blog reported in 2016 that married people tend to live longer, are less likely to be depressed, and have fewer strokes and heart attacks. The report also cites studies showing that married people have better immune systems. This potentially means that your health care expenses could be less than if you remained single.

7. You can get health insurance through your spouse

If one spouse has access to health insurance through his or her employer, they can add a spouse to their plan. This is very helpful when one spouse is not employed or is not offered health insurance through their job. In most cases, family plans offer savings over plans for individuals.

8. Auto insurance is cheaper

Generally speaking, auto insurance companies will charge less to married couples than single people. That's because they tend to see marriage as something a more mature person does. Of course, it helps if both drivers have good driving records; if your spouse has a worse driving record than you, you may not see any savings.

An analysis from Carinsurance.com revealed that married couples can typically see savings of 10 to 15 percent in most states. It's worth noting that insurance companies will offer discounts for multiple cars, as well.

9. You can inherit assets from your spouse without a will

To be clear, no one is suggesting you should celebrate when your spouse passes away. But it's worth noting that when you are married, you are usually entitled to inherit their assets, even if you don't have a formal will drawn up. Note: Crafting a will is still a very good idea. (See also: Here's What Happens If You Don't Leave a Will)

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