Research showing married couples have more money

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - New research says getting married could mean more money in your bank account.

Forget for richer or for poorer, Ohio State researchers say your wealth will increase the longer you stay married.

Ohio State University Research Scientist Jay Zagorsky says couples in long-term marriages will have twice the wealth of single people.  Zagorsky says it means a couple's wealth is four times that of a single person.  Researchers say the key is to stay married as those who divorce will be worse off financially than those who never married.  We spoke to one married couple who says the findings make sense to them.

“I'm probably better off than I would be if I was single. I own my own business and starting it, the fact that I was married and had a husband with an income it's been really helpful,” Gretchen Siegchrist told 22News.

Ben Kurtzman said, “I think it's true, everybody knows how devastating divorce is, both emotionally and to families, but also financially.

The study says that making a commitment to sharing finances and expenses made the biggest impact on overall wealth.