{"id":7290,"date":"2015-12-04T07:07:16","date_gmt":"2015-12-04T13:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senioradvisor.com\/blog\/?p=7290"},"modified":"2020-10-14T08:21:10","modified_gmt":"2020-10-14T13:21:10","slug":"lgbt-seniors-urged-to-talk-before-you-walk-down-the-aisle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d30braiqprupoq.cloudfront.net\/blog\/2015\/12\/lgbt-seniors-urged-to-talk-before-you-walk-down-the-aisle\/","title":{"rendered":"LGBT Seniors Urged to \u201cTalk Before You Walk\u201d Down the Aisle"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"LGBTLGBT Seniors Urged to \u201cTalk Before You Walk\u201d Down the Aisle<\/span><\/h1>\n

Now that all US states recognize marriage equality, LGBTQ seniors are walking down the aisle in greater numbers. Apart from romance and companionship, marriage offers special benefits like the right to visit your spouse if he or she is in the hospital. But marriage might complicate your financial picture, especially if one or both of you are eligible for senior benefits. That\u2019s why national LGBT senior advocacy group SAGE is <\/span>encouraging<\/span> older couples to \u201cTalk Before You Walk\u201d<\/a><\/strong> down the aisle. Here are some of the issues they urge seniors to think over before saying \u201cI do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

LGBTQ marriage is protected; other rights aren\u2019t (yet)<\/h2>\n

The first thing to consider is whether getting married may make you a target for other types of unfair treatment. Despite the legality of same-sex marriage, LGBTQ people aren\u2019t protected by federal anti-discrimination laws when it comes to housing or employment. Until there\u2019s a national law against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation, SAGE encourages seniors to consider whether a splashy wedding or a legal record of your marriage might precipitate discrimination by your employer, landlord, or others. <\/span><\/p>\n

Your federal benefits eligibility may change<\/h2>\n

Combining your assets with your partner\u2019s can be a net positive, but there might be drawbacks. Benefits from Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Veterans Administration<\/a><\/strong> can all be affected \u2013 for better or for worse \u2013 by your marital status and your combined income and net worth. For example, Medicaid recipients who marry a partner with more income or assets may no longer qualify for coverage. <\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not as much fun as picking out china patterns or wedding flowers, but you should get in touch with each benefits program you\u2019re part of\u2014or expect to be part of\u2014and ask how marriage might affect your eligibility. <\/span><\/p>\n

Your tax status will change<\/h2>\n

The tax break that some married couples get for filing jointly is often cited as one of the big financial benefits of wedlock. But according to Forbes, if you and your partner have similar income levels you may end up paying more altogether by filing jointly than you would if you each paid separately. The best time to sort this out is before you marry. Talk to your accountant and financial planner\u2014and if you don\u2019t have those advisors, now is the time to pick them out together.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your estate planning needs will change<\/h2>\n

This is an issue that many older couples face, especially those who hope to pass on their homes or other assets to heirs, friends, or charitable groups. Married people are usually entitled to a portion of their deceased spouse\u2019s estate automatically, even if the intention was for all of it to be passed on to other heirs. If you and your partner live in a community property state and ultimately divorce, you will have to split your assets down the middle, which may leave your intended heirs with less than you had hoped to pass on. For these reasons, it\u2019s a good idea to talk with your financial planner and an attorney to decide whether a prenuptial agreement is a good idea in your situation. Many older adults use \u201cprenups\u201d as a way to protect their assets and clarify estate plans. <\/span><\/p>\n

None of these discussions about taxes, inheritances, and benefits programs is especially romantic. But the time it takes to talk about these issues before you get married will pay off in the form of a more secure and predictable life together, and that\u2019s something to cherish.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

LGBT Seniors Urged to \u201cTalk Before You Walk\u201d Down the Aisle Now that all US states recognize marriage equality, LGBTQ seniors are walking down the aisle in greater numbers. Apart from romance and companionship, marriage offers special benefits like the right to visit your spouse if he or she is in the hospital. But marriage might complicate your financial picture, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2198,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[200,245,162],"tags":[287,246,165],"class_list":{"0":"post-7290","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-families-caregivers","7":"category-lgbt-friendly-senior-living","8":"category-retirement-planning","9":"tag-financial-assistance","10":"tag-lgbt-friendly","11":"tag-retirement-planning-2"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLGBT Seniors Urged to \u201cTalk Before You Walk\u201d Down the Aisle<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"LGBT seniors are walking down the aisle in greater numbers. 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