General, Online Services, Social Security Number and Card, SSI

Getting Married Soon? Give Social Security Your New Name

June 2, 2016 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: August 19, 2021

Wedding-SeasonEvery year, June marks the beginning of two busy seasons: summer and “wedding season.” With joyful expectation, many of us have already marked our calendars and started wrapping up our plans for the vacations, ceremonies, and honeymoons. While the betrothed work out the details, Social Security wants to remind them about one detail that’s extremely important: the “record” Social Security keeps of your life’s earnings.

For many people, a wedding often means a name change is in order. If you are legally changing your name, you need to apply for a replacement Social Security card reflecting your new name. If you’re working, also tell your employer. That way, Social Security can keep track of your earnings history as you go about living your wonderful new life.

If you have reported income under your former or maiden name, and didn’t inform us of a change, we might not have received an accurate W-2 and your earnings may have been recorded incorrectly. This is easier to fix now — when you first change your name — than years from now when you retire, when it may cause delays in receiving your benefits. This is important because we base your future benefits on your earnings record. So, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber, or call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), to find out what specific documents you need to change your name and to apply for a replacement card.

Last year, the Supreme Court issued a decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, holding that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry regardless of where they live within the United States. As a result, Social Security recognizes more same-sex couples as married for purposes of determining entitlement to Social Security benefits or eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. We recently updated instructions for employees to process claims and appeals when a determination of marital status is necessary.

With these changing rules, we encourage anyone who believes they may be eligible for benefits to apply now. You can learn more about our policies for same-sex couples at www.ssa.gov/people/same-sexcouples.

After the honeymoon, you can focus on your career or starting a family, moving to a new home, and securing a well-deserved retirement. Now, you’re all set. Let the celebrations begin!

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

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Comments

  1. Cindy G.

    I’m trying to find out who loses benefits if we get married, me or my boyfriend. We are both over 60. I get $750 and he gets $900

  2. Jeffrey B.

    On disability since 2014 and just married my girl of
    27 years. What an I supposed to do

    • R.F.

      Good question, Jeffrey. For the person receiving Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, marriage does not affect his or her benefit. These benefits are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits. For the person receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), getting married may affect his or her benefit. This is because the amount of the SSI benefit is based, in part, on the income available to him or her and the spouse.
      See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information.

  3. Fay d.

    I receive my husband’s ss i am75 i am getting married will i lose my money

  4. Jake D.

    Can i get married to someone undisabled, while myself files for disability, and still get my benifits?

  5. Gayla

    I am receiving Disability monthly, if I get married will I lose my disability ?

    • R.F.

      Thank you for your question, Gayla. If you get Social Security disability or retirement benefits and you marry, your benefit will stay the same. See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information.

  6. Charles S.

    Hello, I am 60 years old. I am planning on getting married soon. I am not on SSI. Can my new spouse collect my SSI if I were to pass away?

  7. Laura S.

    Where do we mail the information to update our accounts once we married?

  8. Clara J.

    I know a married couple that has been drawing two Social Security for 5 years they have not told Social Security they are married and they use there last names. James Wenzel and Carolyn Ann Courtney (Wenzel) she has not taken his last name knowing they will lose one check? Need advise for this question. Not fair when one person is drawing less and is honest.

  9. Helen P.

    Filled out 105 form, delivered it to your SS office in Lancaster, PA, received my new card with new name but
    Medicare has not been notified. I received my new card in
    November of 2017. Why does it take so long to notify Medicare? Please advise.

    reply to hpack1410@comcast.net

    Thank you,
    Helen (Martinez) Pack
    *** – ** – ***

  10. Raquel W.

    I just newlywed a month now, Do I have to change my surname on the ssn card?
    What do I do to change so my employment wont mixed up from my previous surname to my new surname married now ?

Comments are closed.