General, SSI

Will Remarrying Affect My Social Security Benefits?

September 5, 2017 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: October 14, 2021

married couple hugging Whether it’s a morning ceremony or an evening gala, excitement’s in the air. You’re getting remarried! Social Security is with you throughout life’s journey and we are here to help you on any Social Security related questions, after your special day!

If you’re getting remarried, you may have some questions about changing the name on your Social Security card. Also, if you’re remarrying, you may wonder how that affects your Social Security benefits.

Remarrying may affect your benefits if you receive any of the following benefits:

  1. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments — your SSI payment amount may change as a result of your new spouse’s income and resources. If you and your spouse both get SSI, your payment amount will change from an individual rate to a couple’s rate.
  1. Widow/widower, or divorced widow/widower payments—
    • If you remarry before age 50 — you won’t be entitled to survivor’s or disability benefits unless you divorce.
    • If you remarry between the ages of 50 and 59 — you can’t get benefits. Note: If you remarry before you turn 60 and that marriage ends, you may become entitled or re-entitled to benefits on your prior deceased spouse’s earnings record. Your benefits begin the first month in which the subsequent marriage ended if all entitlement requirements are met.
    • If you remarry after age 60 — you may still become entitled to benefits on your prior deceased spouse’s Social Security earnings record.
  1. Divorced spouse’s benefits — Generally, if you remarry, benefits paid to you from your prior spouse’s account stop. Check out if you are divorced for more information.
  1. Children’s benefits (under age 18 or student ages 18 or 19) — Children’s benefits end once the child marries. You can find more information in our Benefits for Children page.

Visit our Benefits page for more information. Please share this information with family and friends – and post it on social media.

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About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

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Comments

  1. Mary A.

    If my husband is deceased and I am collecting his Social Security and I should marry someone else, he predeceased me can I then collect his social security if it’s larger than my first deceased husband?

    • R.F.

      Hello Mary. First, if you remarry after you reach age 60 (age 50 if disabled), your remarriage will not affect your eligibility for survivors benefits.
      Also, it is possible for a person to be eligible for Social Security Survivors Benefits in more than one record. However, we are only going to pay the highest benefit amount from either records. Yes, you could be eligible for the highest benefit amount, as long as you meet all factors of eligibility.
      We hope this information helps!

  2. Bev D.

    Thank you for this information, It was self explanatory.

    • R.F.

      Thank you! We’re pleased we can help.

  3. Charles B.

    Do you need to report a remarriage if your receiving survivors benefits and remarried at 62 years old?

    • R.F.

      Hello Charles. If you remarry after you reach age 60 (age 50 if disabled), your remarriage will not affect your eligibility for survivors benefits. However, you should always report important changes and update your benefit records. Please contact your local office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!

  4. James

    I plan to start social security at age 66 in November. My wife is still working and a few years younger. Can I collect first from her social security before my own?

    • V.V.

      Hi James, thank you for your question. You may be able to get spouse’s benefits but, under existing law, if you are eligible for benefits both as a retired worker and as a spouse, you must apply for both benefits and you’ll receive the higher of the two benefits. This requirement is called “deemed filing” because when you apply for one benefit you are “deemed” to have also applied for the other.

      However, if you turn 62 before January 2, 2016, deemed filing rules will not apply if you wait to file at your full retirement age or later. This means that you may file for either your spouse’s benefit or your retirement benefit without being required or “deemed” to file for the other. See our Deemed Filing For Retirement And Spouse’s Benefits FAQs web page for details.

  5. Lisa H.

    I’m on disability and receive SSI + disability want to know if my at anything changes if I get remarried

  6. Robin

    Do you want a hacker than can help you get what you deserve you can always contact cyberhacker 721 at g mail dot com

  7. Rita B.

    If i was married to my husband for 17 years got a divorce. And remarried before i was 50. Can i still get SSI from my x husband? He also remarried.

    • R.F.

      Hello Rita, you may be able to receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record at age 62 if:
      • You were married to your ex-spouse for at least 10 years;
      • You are unmarried;
      • Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits and,
      • The benefit you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s work.
      For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced. Thanks!

  8. Fernando L.

    hello I am disable and getting ssd. I am divorce and possible getting married again, in general what should I know if my possible future wife cant work due to take of me. Im 51 yrs old. could you please comment? thank you.

    • V.V.

      Hello Fernando. 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. Thanks!

  9. Betty

    I’m 78 years old. Was married for 34 years when my husband died. I receive his ss benefits. Will I lose that benefit if I marry

    • V.V.

      Hi Betty, thank you for the question. Widows that remarry after age 60 (age 50 if disabled), may continue to qualify for benefits on their deceased spouse’s Social Security record.

      If your new spouse is a Social Security beneficiary, you may want to apply for spouse’s benefits on that record. If that amount is higher, you may be entitled to the higher amount, based on both records. Generally, you must be married for one year before you can get spouse’s benefits.

      Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page to see how marriage can affect Social Security benefits. We hope this helps!

  10. Nancy N.

    How do I go about changing my name and get my survivors benefits deposited into my new account with my new last name with out interruption?

    • V.V.

      Hi Nancy, thank you for your questions. See our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how to change your name on your Social Security card.

      If you’re receiving Social Security benefits (retirement, survivors, or disability), you can start or update your direct deposit information by using your personal my Social Security account.

      If you’re unable to conduct business online, you can start or update your direct deposit by contacting the bank, credit union, or savings and loan association or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for more information.

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