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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Marsha
My sister is 73 years old, her husband passed a few ago. Both were on S.S. When he passed was warded the 5 of his S.S. check. She said if she remarried her S.S. check would go back to what it was before her husband passed. She has met some one and would love to married him, but she can’t afford to use part of the S.S. she is getting now.
James L.
Hi I want to know if I get marry to a woman and I get SSI and SSA And my wife get the same SSI and SSA..Can you tell me what will happened ?
Theresa R.
I have remarried, but have not notified SS. My spouse is receiving SS benefits (66 y.o.) and I am in receipt of SS benefits (69 y.o.) Will we penalized for not reporting our marriage 6 years ago. I did not and don’t wish to change my surname as I have done this from a previous marriage over 25 years ago.
My spouse receives a higher benefit rate than me.
V.V.
Hello Theresa, 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!
Fleeta D.
I became a widow at age 54. I remarried at age 60,therefore I could not receive his ss benefits.
When I was 57 I remarried and he passed away. I went to the social security office and the lady calculated which husband has the most ss pain in. It was my first husband.
My question is if I remarry how will this affect my social security benefits
R.F.
Hello Fleeta. If you remarry after you reach age 60 (age 50 if disabled), your remarriage will not affect your eligibility for survivors benefits. Thanks!
Fleeta D.
I have been widowed twice. I want to know if I marry again how it would affect my ss income
R.F.
Hello Fleeta. You cannot get widow’s benefits if you remarry before age 60 (age 50 if disabled).
Merry B.
How Will divorce effect my SSI Benefits now that I’m single?
R.F.
Hello Merry. When you’re married, the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) guidelines require that we consider the income and resources available to you, including your spouse’s income and resources, when figuring out your monthly benefit amount. We also take into consideration your living arrangements.
Remember that you must contact us to report any changes, we may need to conduct a “Redetermination”.
For further assistance, please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or contact your local office directly. Thanks!
Shirley B.
This does not answer my questions. If a widow marries after the age of 77, can she draw from her deceased husbands benefits?
V.V.
Hi Shirley. 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. To find out if you are eligible for a higher benefit amount, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday or contact your local Social security office. Thanks!
Denise
After being married for 24 years my husband became ill with cancer and passed away after being on disability for a few months. I was in my forties and remarried. Then my second husband whom was on disability from an injury also passed away from cancer after 13 years of marriage. When I apply for widow’s benefits when I turn 60, who do I draw from? Husband 1 or husband 2?
V.V.
Hi Denise, we are so sorry for your losses. If you are the (unmarried/single) widow of a person who worked long enough under Social Security, you can start receiving reduced survivor’s benefits as early as age 60 (50 if disabled). If you are eligible on more than one record, and for retirement benefits on your own record, you may have additional options. You can apply on one record early and switch to the other (higher) benefit at a later date.
To inquire about your options and benefit estimates, please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. or contact your local office.
Denise
Thank you, when do I apply? Before my 60th birthday or after I turn 60?
nancy b.
If my future spouse does not have ss yet he is 61years old and I am the only one who collects it now does it affect my ss?
V.V.
Hello Nancy, 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!
Jeff S.
Will my social security benefits go down if I remarry? We are both 66.
R.F.
Hello Jeff. If you get Social Security retirement benefits and you marry, your benefit will stay the same. Click here to see how marriage may affect other benefits. Thanks!