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. Lillian D.

    What if you pass 70, and you are a willow. And want to remarry. Will that affect your benecit?

  2. Carol G.

    This does not answer my question. I receive my own Social Security. I will be 70 next month. My spouse is deceased for 10 years. My friend is 70, his wife is deceased. He has Teachers Retirement and a very small part of his deceased wife’s SS.
    Would marriage affect either or both of our SS checks ?

    • R.F.

      Hello Carol. If you get Social Security retirement benefits and you marry, your benefit will stay the same. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page on how marriage may affect other benefits. Thanks!

  3. Deanna M.

    How do I find out what changes might occur with my SSI benefits if I remarry.

  4. Joanne O.

    I am entitled to ex-spousal benefits but do not have his Social Security number. Will that prevent me from getting the benefit? I have name, address and DOB

    • R.F.

      Hello Joanne, you will be asked to provide us with as much information as possible and our representatives will assist you to complete your application for divorced spouse benefits. Thanks!

  5. Patricia E.

    If I receive my own retirement benefits and get married after age 66 will my benefits decrease .

    • R.F.

      Hello Patricia. If you get Social Security 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!

  6. joe c.

    My fiancee is 76 and drawing benefits from her late husband. I am 82 and drawing my own benefits, and my wife is deceased. If we marry, will we lose some of our benefits?

  7. Joyce H.

    I was widowed when I was 46 years old. I continued to work full time (plus OT) until I had a medical emergency and became disabled In 2013 when I was 56 years old. My question is this: iF I get remarried, and in many many (!!) years I die before my new husband, can he get my social security instead of his, as mine is almost double compared to his…..

    • R.F.

      Hello Joyce. If you are the widow or widower of a person who worked long enough under Social Security, you can receive reduced survivors benefits as early as age 60 (age 50 if disabled). See our Benefits Planner For Survivors for more information. Thanks!

  8. Laramie L.

    I have ssi my fiancee he gets ssdi but he owes ssi he works and now he don’t get ssi anymore if we marry will my ssi go away?

    • R.F.

      Good question Laramie. 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. Thanks!

  9. Ann M.

    if a person on ss gets a roommate or has someone live with u, does it effect the amount of ss benefits u receive. does the roommates income effect it.

    • R.F.

      Hello Ann, your living arrangements do not affect your Social Security benefits. These benefits are based on your prior work activity and earnings, and are not subject to income and resource limits.
      If you’re receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, your monthly (SSI) benefit amount we pay is affected by your living arrangements. We also take into consideration any other income, and resources for SSI benefits.
      For further assistance, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks!

  10. susan

    I really don’t understand what happens if you remarry. im 44 and my husband passed away. I receive disability for myself and I don’t receive any benefits from him. im thinking if I understand I will possibly have my benefit may decrease due to new husbands income. I wanted to know about that and what if the husband you just married doesn’t have income will my benefits still be cut ?

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