43 years ago Caroline and I got married because of the financial and social benefits.

1. Married man's tax benefit
2. Tax relief on the mortgage
3 Wedding presents
4. Happy parents

The piece of paper was utterly unimportant to us: 9 years later we had kids. We are still as happy, possibly happier than we were at the beginning.

Would we have got the piece of paper today? There are no financial benefits, other than the tax free transfer of assets to the other party on death. So probably not.
We are seeing some of our friends, who have lived together for years, marry simply because of advancing years and inheritance tax benefits.

Peter,
66, 2016 Porsche Boxster S
No longer driving Tarka, the 2014 Plus 8...