General, SSI

Social Security’s Commitment to the LGBTQI+ Community

June 7, 2024 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: June 6, 2024

An individual staring at a computer off camera.June is Pride Month. It’s a time to acknowledge the LGBTQI+ community and also celebrate diversity, love, and respect.

We recognize same-sex marriages in all states, as well as some nonmarital legal relationships (such as some civil unions and domestic partnerships). This recognition is important to determine entitlement to benefits.

Here are a few things you should know about our benefits for same-sex couples:

  • Marital status is important — A member of a same-sex couple may be eligible for benefits when a spouse receives retirement or disability or dies. We also consider marital status when we determine eligibility and payment amount for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
  • What type of benefits you can receive — Social Security taxes pay for 3 kinds of benefits: retirement, disability, and survivors. If you’re entitled to benefits, your spouse and eligible family members may receive benefits, too. Your spouse may also be eligible for Medicare on your work record, if you have paid the Medicare tax on your earnings.
  • When you apply for benefits is important — If you’re married or have entered a nonmarital legal relationship, we encourage you to contact us, even if you’re not sure you’re eligible. Applying now may protect you against the loss of any potential benefits.
  • Report life changes right away — You should let us know if you move, marry, separate, divorce, enter into (or leave) a nonmarital legal relationship, or become a parent. In addition, you should let us know if you change your name. You should report changes as soon as possible so benefits are paid correctly.

To learn more about our commitment to the LGBTQI+ community, please visit our website or read our publication, What Same-Sex Couples Need to Know.

Please share this information with family, friends, and others who may need it and post it on social media.  

 

 

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About the Author

BJ Jarrett, Acting Deputy Associate Commissioner

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Comments

  1. Aria J.

    This is unacceptable! As a teacher, I see firsthand how crucial it is to uphold strong moral values for the sake of our children. Our country is losing its moral foundation by allowing government agencies to support same-sex couples. Social Security benefits should be reserved for traditional families, not for promoting what many consider to be immoral lifestyles. Using taxpayer money to provide benefits to same-sex couples is an affront to the values that this nation was built upon. We should not be paying for SSI, Medicare, or any other benefits for these relationships. It’s time to stand up for traditional values and stop wasting our resources on supporting lifestyles that many Americans do not agree with. Instead of pushing this agenda, why not focus on promoting family values through initiatives like family-oriented programs or traditional family calendars? Our children deserve to grow up in an environment that reflects and respects the moral values that have long been the cornerstone of our society.

  2. Talkoptions

    nicely written

  3. JERRY M.

    THE USA HAS STOOPED TO THE LOWEST LEVELS OF MORALS WHEN WE LET OUR GOVERNMENT AGENCIES SUPPORT QUEERS, LESBIANS, AND ANY FORM OF SAME-SEX COUPLES!

    WE DO NOT WANT THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PAYING ANY TYPE OF BENEFITS TO SAME-SEX COUPLES, QUEERS OR LESBIANS!

    WE DO NOT WANT OUR GOVERNMENTS PAYING ANY TYPE OF WELFARE BENEFITS, WELFARE TYPE TAX CREDITS TO QUEERS, LESBIANS OR SAME-SEX COUPLES! THAT INCLUDES NO SSI, NO SSI-DI, NO SS-DI, OR SNAP, WIC, TANF, CHIP, FREE MEDICAID, FREE SCHOOLING, FREE STUDENT LOANS, FREE INTERNET, FREE USDA FOOD, FREE FOOD FROM FOOD BANKS, NO ANY TYPE OF GOVERNMENT ASSITANCE TO THESE DEGENERATED GROUPS OF PEOPLE! WE ARE LIKE ROME WAS WHEN IT DISAPPEARED, SO WE IN USA MUST PUT MORALS BACK INTO OUR SOCIETY, SCHOOLS, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND BACK INTO OUR BUSINESSES!

    DO NOT SPEND ANY OF OUR SOCIAL SECURITY FUNDS, OR OUR TAX MONEY ON SAME-SEX COUPLES, QUEERS, OR ON LESBIANS!

    IF PEOPLE CHOOSE TO BE IMMORAL, LET THEM USE THEIR OWN MONEY TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES! WE WILL NOT SUPPORT MORAL DEGENERATES IN OUR USA!

    • Kizzy

      Well Jerry, those people worked their whole life and put as much money into SS as anyone else. Just because you hate them doesn’t mean they can’t get what’s due to them. Get a life man.

  4. Straight a.

    June should be “Heterosexual Awesomeness Month”.

  5. Mätti

    This is great that SSA made this post during Pride Month!

    • MajJohn

      All communities should be treated equally and fairly. This post just kicks a hornet’s nest.

  6. Robert N.

    Thanks for your outreach to the LGBTQ Community!

Comments are closed.