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. Laura T.

    Thinking of marriage. I receive SSI benefits and my new spouse does too will this reduce our benefits?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Laura. Thank you for your question. Getting married may affect your (Supplemental Security Income) SSI benefit because the amount of your benefit is based, in part, on the income available to you and your spouse. For more information about how marriage may affect your SSI benefits, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

  2. June W.

    I am 76 and my fiance is 83 If we get married how does this effect our monthly social security benfit.

    • L.A.

      Hi June. Congratulations on your engagement! When you get married, if you qualify for a higher amount as a spouse, you’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. See this webpage for more information on spouses benefits. We hope this helps

  3. Merlynn B.

    I am 66 years of age and considering remarriage. I am currently receiving my own retirement SS benefits. I was previously married, however my earnings were higher than my ex-husband’s so it was not beneficial to file for spousal benefits.
    My question is two parts.
    1) If I remarry would my current benefits be impacted either increased or decreased by my, new husband’s benefits? His benefits and earnings are higher than mine.
    2) If I do not remarry would I be eligible for widow’s/survivor’s benefits from my ex-husband upon his death.

    Thank you,

    Best regards,

    Merlynn Bertini

    • L.A.

      Hi Merlynn. Thank you for your question. The answer to your questions is a bit complex for this forum. Typically, if you remarry, your benefits could be impacted. Generally, we cannot pay benefits if the divorced spouse (you) remarries someone other than their (your) former spouse, unless the latter marriage ends (whether by death, divorce, or annulment). If you do not remarry, and your ex-husband dies, you will continue to receive the same amount benefits. If you later need to apply for survivors benefits, we would pay you (insert info about requirements). Here you will find more information about divorce spouses benefits. For specific information about your case, you can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. You will generally have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. We hope this helps.

  4. Cynthia E.

    Am I understanding this correct? I am 70 and I collect from my deceased husbands social security.. and mine and if I decided to remarry.. I will not lose any of my benefits?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Cynthia. If you receive retirement or Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, your marriage will not affect your benefit. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), widow or widower’s benefits, your marriage may affect your benefit. To learn more about how marriage affects benefits, visit our Frequently Asked Questions here. We hope this helps.

  5. erin

    what if your feons make 13.50 will you lose your social security

  6. Jennifer

    Me and my fiance are wanting to get married and he has ssdi and i work will that affect his ssdi?

    • A.C.

      Hi, Jennifer. If your fiance receives retirement or Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, your marriage will not affect his benefit. If he is receiving SSI, widow or widower’s benefits, your marriage may affect his benefit. To learn more about how marriage affects benefits, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

  7. debbie r.

    Hello,
    I am hoping to get an answer on a question I have.. I am getting married (no date yet), and I am on SSI and my fiance is on SSDI. I have read that once we get married our benefits will change to a married couples benefit.. I am trying to find out more information on that, like what is it? what will it change to? what percentage will we loose? Short of calling SSA and waiting hours on hold, maybe I can get some kind of answer, we are both in our mid 60’s and anxious to find out what our life will be.. thank you for your time and hoping to get a response..

  8. Francine T.

    I am dating a man who is collecting social security as a disabled person. We are planning to get married. Will he lose his social security benefits. I am a full time employee and I get employee benefits which includes medical insurance.

    • L.A.

      Hi, Francine. Thanks for your question. If your fiancé receives retirement or Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, your marriage will not affect his benefit. If he is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), widow or widower’s benefits, your marriage may affect his benefit. To learn more about how marriage affects benefits, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

  9. karin t.

    My daughter’s father is a bigamist! He didn’t get divorced and married someone else

  10. Lynette B.

    I receive my late husbands pension from France, i live in South Africa,, im 60 yrs old,, since 10th July this year…i also receive a pension from Nashua, south africa.. Will i lose either of these if i remarry?

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