Couples' Retirement Contributions and Cohabitation Savings Strategies

Research from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College shows that coordinating 401(k) contributions between spouses can capture employer matching funds that many couples overlook. While roughly 40 % of couples actively align their contributions to maximize the “free” money from matches, about 20 % leave potential savings on the table.

Separate analysis of couples who move in together to cut housing costs indicates that cohabitation can reduce monthly expenses by up to $1,000, especially in high‑cost cities. However, the arrangement also creates relationship tension; many respondents report regret and incompatibility issues after moving in for financial reasons.