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Congratulations are in order! Now that you’re married, may you and your partner enjoy a lifetime of love and happiness—and financial harmony.
- Update your info and documents
Make sure things like your financial accounts, insurance policies, and emergency contact lists all have the latest details.
- Know what to expect with taxes
Depending on how you file, getting married can mean higher standard deductions and other changes.
- Learn about post-nuptial agreements
These are similar to prenups but are made after marriage. See if they might make sense for you.
After the big day
- Address (if you’re moving).
- Financial accounts (if you’re combining them).
- Beneficiaries.
- Insurance policies.
- Leases (if you’re adding names to them).
- Emergency contact lists.
- Deeds and titles (if that’s part of your plan).
- Legal documents, including wills, power of attorney forms, and trust documents.
- Social Security card (you may want to do this first, since it’s often used as proof for later verifications).
- Driver’s license (you may want to do this next, for the same reason as above).
- Passport.
- Professional licenses and accreditations.
- Debts and loans, such as car loans and credit cards (if that’s part of your plan).
- Financial accounts.
- If you’re someone else’s beneficiary, it’s a good idea to have them update their info with your new name.
Tip: Changing your last name may take some time. If you’re planning a honeymoon near the wedding date, you may want to delay the name change until your trip is over. It may also help to have a few certified copies of your marriage certificate on hand as many times they are used to verify a name change.
Helpful tips and considerations
Taxes
Newly married, there are a few things to keep in mind with taxes:
- If you’re filing your taxes jointly, there are higher standard deductions than when you were single.
- You’ll want to make sure your paycheck withholdings are appropriate to help avoid a large tax bill or refund at the end of the year.
- Even if you got married on December 31, you’re generally considered married for that entire year.
- If your combined salaries move you into a higher tax bracket, you may face a larger tax bill. Plan for this potential beforehand.
Post-nuptial agreements
You may have had the prenup talk. There are also post-nuptial agreements—contracts with a spouse made after marriage. You may want to consider a post-nuptial agreement for reasons like:
- A change in financial status after marriage.
- An inheritance.
- Starting a business.
- A large, unexpected increase in income.
Agreements can address things like alimony, inheritances, future earnings, investments, and debts. How these agreements are enforced varies by state. Make sure to work with an attorney if you’re considering this option.
Keep finances on your radar
Enjoy your married life together. But don’t forget to revisit your finances now and again to make sure you’re on track—and on the same page.
Once you’ve finished your after-marriage checklists, it’s time to start thinking about your future goals together. For tips on saving for multiple goals, check out this article.
Get help from Vanguard
Marriage is a major life event. So it’s a great time to see if financial advice is right for your future. If your retirement plan is at Vanguard, see what advice options we offer.
Whenever you invest, there’s a chance you could lose the money.
Vanguard does not provide individual tax advice. You should consult with your tax advisor before making any decisions as to your specific circumstances.
