Money Without Matrimony: The Unmarried Couple's Guide to Financial Security

Unmarried couples account for more than 5.5 million households in the U.S., but most of them never take the time to plan for a secure financial future. Yet planning is especially important for these couples since, despite their rising number, they still haven't achieved the financial benefits afforded to those who choose to marry, such as health insurance and Social Security survivor benefits. Designed for both heterosexual and same-sex couples, this informative guide to financial planning stresses the importance of discussing individual and joint financial goals with your partner, regardless of how casual or permanent the relationship is. Garrett and Neiman explore a wide range of issues, including how to hammer out a co-parenting agreement and how to decide whether to share a bank account. The authors also encourage couples to start saving more money: ""Less than 1 percent of all Americans will be able to retire at age 65 and maintain their same standard of living."" Financial planning is often a tense and difficult topic for couples to discuss but, with its real life examples, tidy bulleted lists and a glossary of confusing terms, this book should help readers get the conversation started.