A survey suggests when credit unions help members restructuredebt, they may also help them into matrimony.

That's because some consumers find their debt burden heavyenough to forestall getting married, according to the National Foundation for CreditCounseling.

The Foundation reported that 37% of 2,170 visitors to itswebsite in late January said if a potential spouse had a lot ofdebt they would not marry them. An additional 10% said they wouldmarry but not help pay the debt and 7% said they would end therelationship. Only 46% of the self-selecting respondents repliedthey would marry and pay off the debt together.

“When considering the negative ramifications of debt, people maynot realize that the associated problems can go beyond creditscores and interest rates. Debt can also have serious, long-lastingpersonal implications,” said Gail Cunningham, spokesperson for theNFCC. “It appears that debt overrides love, at leasttemporarily, when deciding to move forward in a relationship. It'smoney over marriage.”

The Foundation noted that with rates of current college debt,two young people who married could end up carrying a six-figuredebt load, and that this could leave them with a heavy burden to carry into a marriage.

“Close to half of all marriages in America end in divorce, withfinancial strain often cited as the culprit,” the Foundationreported when announcing the survey. “Therefore, it is no surprisethat people are reluctant to start off on the wrong financialfoot.”