I've been watching this thread and am a little surprised by some of the answers as well.
If it is what works for two people than why judge it so harshly?
I know I am wired differently than many people, and maybe my own opinion about this whole "love" thing give me a different view point but it does not sound so unreasonable or unacceptable to me that someone want financial security from their partner.
Lots of people go into marriages thinking love will lead the way; others of us know that love is a load of poo and have certain expectations of ourselves and a partner due to past experiences and if one is open and honest about what is important to them in a relationship I don't see how that is a failure in any way.