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. Arizona H.

    What percentage of social security does a man and woman lose if they marry. He is 83 and she is 76?

    • R.F.

      Hello Arizona, for individuals receiving Social Security disability benefits, marriage does not affect their benefits. These benefits are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits. For individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), getting married may affect their monthly benefit. This is because the amount of the SSI benefit is based, in part, on the income available to that individual and his or her spouse.
      See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information. Thanks!

  2. Suzanne O.

    Please confirm that I will NOT lose my widow’s benefit if I re-marry and I am 72 years old.

  3. Nancy G.

    I am 68 and thinking about remarriage will it bother my social security and I also get medicad

  4. Ermete A.

    SSI always talks about if a woman remarries and not about a man remarring. I’m 77, if I remarry what are my new soouse’s SSI benefits?

  5. donna c.

    i receive an SSi check and SS and Im getting married. I know i will lose my ssi check but can i keep my soc sec?

    • R.F.

      Hello Donna. Marriage does not affect your Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits. These benefits are based on earnings and are not subject to income and resource limits.
      Marriage, in the other hand, affects Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. This is because the amount of the SSI benefit is based, in part, on the income available to you and your spouse.
      See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits?” for more information. Thanks!

  6. PAMELA S.

    i AM 72 AND WANT TO MARRY AN 82 YEAR OLD. I MAKE MORE THAN HIM, IF I DIE BEFORE HIM, DOES HE GET MY HIGHER AMOUNT. OR DO WE HAVE A TIME LIMIT OF HOW LONG WE HAVE TO BE MARRIED BEFORE HE CAN GET MY HIGHER AMOUNT.

    • R.F.

      Hello Pamela. Generally, individuals must be married for one year before they can get spouse’s benefits. An applicant for surviving spouse benefits must meet a 9 months duration-of-marriage requirement. Thanks!

  7. Terry L.

    I’m a 59 year old male I live on Social Security disability I was divorced from my first wife long ago. I have just remarried to a Philippine woman last May I spend much of my time in Philippines I intend to retire there. My wife has a nine-year-old child I have been financially supporting for nearly 5 years. I am the only father he knows. My wife is also pregnant with my child the child is due to be born in December or January this year. The child will be born in the Philippines I will be there. I will be able to prove the child is my biological child will that child be eligible for anything from my continuing Social Security Disability Benefits that I live on? If so do I need to file now that my wife is a dependent and also her nine-year-old son also my dependent as I rent a home that we live in in the Philippines. I assume I need to apply when my child is born in December or January what application process do I need to go through to receive Social Security benefits from my disability benefits for my dependent baby that is about to be born. in the Philippines I assume this can be handled to the Social Security Office in the Philippines in Manila.. Terry3381@gmail. Com

  8. Cynthia h.

    What about effect of remarriage while receiving Ssdi benefits from your own work records? I’m over 60 also.

    • R.F.

      Hello Cynthia. 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. See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits?” for more information. Thanks!

  9. Cindy L.

    I am currently age 61 and receive SSD. If I remarry will I lose that benefit?

  10. Brenda H.

    What if I want to get married. Will I lose my SSD?
    What if I want to get married and he is retiring, will I lose my SSD?

Comments are closed.