Ray Lucia: For better, for worse, for richer or for poor, if you recited those vows many years ago, you may now realize you are getting actually more than you bargained for in marriage, and that indeed your happiness health and wealth, may have been altered in a very positive way when you tied the knot. Numerous academic studies have recently supported the proposition that marriage may lead to longer lives, greater financial security and even increased earnings potential.

Of course, it's easy to be skeptical as divorce has divided so many families, and yes it's true that more couples are again calling it quits after divorce declined by more than 50% during the debts of the recession. But according to a study conducted by Ohio State University, the average married couple now claims more than $400,000 in assets, compared with a $167,000 for an individual who never got married at all. Married people are able to live more cost effectively than singles, plus they tend to please themselves more diligently on spending when they need to be accountable to a spouse.

By some estimates married men will make as much as 40% more than single guys even when job history and a level of education are factored in, but perhaps the most shocking disparity between married and single people relates to health not wealth. Nine out of ten married men now at age 48 will live to be aged 65, and that figure plummets to 6 of 10 for single guys. So, here is the bottom line, you may view your marriage as a truly priceless institution, but research substantiates those who uphold their vows, really do profit emotionally and economically.

With Your Money, Your Life I am Ray Lucia.