So you’ve taken the leap and married your partner, and are busy planning a future together. Along with all the excitement, now might also be time for practicalities, such as investigating whether you want to sign up for spousal benefits under your partner’s insurance plan, or they under yours. It’s not the most romantic of topics, of course, but may benefit you both in the long run by simplifying your paperwork and saving you cash.

We both have health benefits through our work; does it make sense to switch?

If you both have health coverage through your workplaces, you might want to do a little digging to see just what coverage you might receive under their plan, and how much of a difference it would make to the price you are already paying for your own benefits.

If your partner’s plan offers more coverage, and the deductibles are comparable to your own plan, then it makes sense to switch. However, if you find that you would be paying the same rate for the same amount of coverage, then staying with your current plan is probably the best choice. Keep in mind that most insurance plans have a 30-day window for special enrolment after marriage, so if you miss that window you will have to wait until the next annual open enrolment period.

What if my partner and I came into the relationship without health insurance, or inadequate coverage?

If you are both unhappy with your current coverage, you may wish to sign up for a private insurance plan that offers family coverage, which will cover you as a couple and also offer coverage for any future children. Be sure to do your homework and shop around, as some plans offer lower premiums, but with limited coverage of things such as preventative screenings, immunizations and regular physicals. There are dozens of providers willing to offer you a quote, so take your time and compare until you find what is right for you and your partner.