Will Remarrying Affect My Social Security Benefits?
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: October 14, 2021
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:
- 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.
- Widow/widower, or divorced widow/widower payments—
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- If you remarry before age 50 — you won’t be entitled to survivor’s or disability benefits unless you divorce.
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- 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.
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- If you remarry after age 60 — you may still become entitled to benefits on your prior deceased spouse’s Social Security earnings record.
- 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.
- 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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Tags: Children, social security, Social Security benefits, Social Security card, SSA, supplemental security income, survivors benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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linda d.
My ex and I have been divorced for 25 yrs.Can I collect on his SS,I have remarried.We are both over 65
SHAYNE S.
i have been remarried for 2 years now. my wife is 68 so am I, she draws social security as I do. I receive more than her. can she up her benefits thru my benefits? thank you
R.F.
Hello Shayne, to find out if your wife is eligible for a higher (spouse) benefit on your record, she should contact us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit the local Social security office. Thanks!
Shaun C.
My mother who is a widow and she draws my fathers (her ex husbands) social security she is 70 years old and would like to know if she would lose her befits (checks and MediCare) if she remarriages.
V.V.
Hi Shaun, thank you for the question. Widows (and divorced 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 their new spouse is a Social Security beneficiary, they may want to apply for spouse’s benefits on that record. If that amount is higher, they may be entitled to the higher amount, based on both records. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page to see how marriage can affect Social Security benefits. We hope this helps!
Donna L.
I am a widow, age 75, collecting Social Security on my own earnings. If I remarry, do I still get these earnings, or will the amount change.
V.V.
Hi Donna, 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!
Darlene K.
I’m drawing my own social security not my deceased husbands if I remarry will I lose my social security
R.F.
Hello Darlene, if you get Social Security disability or retirement benefits on your own record and you marry, your benefit will stay the same. See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” to learn how marriage may affect other benefits. Thanks!
Lezlie M.
My partner and I are both 66 and collecting social security benefits based on each of our past employment. We are considering marrying before the end of the year. Will that effect what we are both receiving individually?
V.V.
Hello Lezlie, 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!
Cynthia
My husband passed away 02/15/2018. I am now 64 years old and am wondering if remarrying now will affect my Social Security since it’s based on my benefit and my late husband’s.
Barbara B.
How much difference is there between single and married benefits?
shirley l.
Will my SS be cut if I remarry at the age of 85,
K.O.
Hello Shirley. Great question! Remarriage after age 60 (age 50 if disabled), will NOT affect your eligibility for benefits. However, you should always report important changes and update your benefit records. Please contact your local Social Security office or call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hope this helps. Thanks!
Maureen C.
I am currently age 60 and 7 months old. will my social security disability benefits and surviving spouse benefits be affected if I remarry?
V.V.
Maureen, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. See our Frequently Asked Question “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for information on the impact marriage can have on the various benefits. Thanks.