Tips for Tying the Knot in the Golden Years

Are you ready to say "I do" in your golden years? Of adults 60 and older, 9 in 10 have been
married, and of adults 60 to 69, at least 20% of them have been married twice, according to
the U.S. Census Bureau. Before you get married, consider these tips for a senior marriage
from Senior Living Experts.

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Planning Finances
If you're used to having your own money, combining finances can be stressful. Discuss
whether you'll keep separate bank accounts or join your finances. Agree on who pays for
various expenses. Consider how marriage might impact your taxes, Social Security benefits,
and other finances to prepare for those changes.

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Choosing a Place To Live
If you haven't moved in together yet, you'll need to choose where to live. One option is
moving into one of your current homes. One survey shows that 76% of adults 50 and older
want to age in place or stay in their home in their current community. When you're
combining households, you'll have to agree on which residence is best. According to an
AARP survey, a third of seniors need to make modifications to age in place, so consider the
accessibility of both homes. 

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Preparing for the Future
Even if you're still living at home now, it's important to plan for possible future medical and
long-term care needs. The CDC reports that six in 10 adults have one chronic condition and
four in 10 have two or more. Whether or not you have health conditions now, talk about
how you'll handle future health issues and long-term care needs. Discuss what you'll do if
you can't live independently in the future.

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Handling Estate Planning
Estate planning becomes even more important when you're combining two households,
especially if you both have kids. According to Gallup, only 68% of people 65 and older have
wills. Create wills if you don't have them, and update them with new beneficiary
information now that you're getting married.

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Considering the Kids
Getting married in your senior years likely won't include custody agreements or a blended
family, but your kids might still react negatively. Adult children still worry about their
parents and want to make sure they're in a good situation. It can create tension in the
family if some family members don't support the marriage. Consider how your kids and
other relatives might react. Talking to them in advance and preparing for resistance can
make it easier to navigate.

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Starting a Business Together
Starting a business is a way to spend more time together in your golden years. It can also be
a good source of income for your long-term care expenses and to build up your retirement
income. You don't have to commit to a 9-to-5 business. Consulting and freelancing give you
the flexibility to work on your schedule. Forming an LLC based on Illinois laws can provide
personal liability protection in this endeavor while giving you tax benefits and less
paperwork.

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Enjoying a Golden Years Marriage
Having your plans in order before you tie the knot makes the transition to senior married
life easier. Explore the professionals, including financial planners, from Senior Living
Experts who can help you prepare for marriage.

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Millie created SeniorWellness as a way to inspire older generations - including her own! - to embrace their wellness throughout their golden years. She hopes her site will help people of all ages feel young at heart. When she’s not playing with her grandkids, Millie can be found writing, taking photos (film or bust!), or putting those skills to use via scrapbooking.

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