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.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!

Tags: , , , , , ,

See Comments

About the Author

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications

Related Articles

Social Security Administration Expands Outreach and Access for Supplemental Security Income

Poverty Data Shows Why Social Security Matters to Women and People of Color

Happy Holidays

The IRS takes new steps to ensure people with children receive $500 Economic Impact Payments

Comments

  1. Patricia H.

    I am 65 years old and am receiving ss benefits. I am working part time. If I get married, how does that affect my ss income? We still both have separate homes, but live together in either one depending on grown kids etc. He has never been married and does not have children. I am divorced for 18 years and do not receive any of my ex-spouse’s ss income.

    • Ann C.

      Thanks for your question, Patricia. If you receive retirement or Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, your marriage will not affect your benefit. If you are receiving SSI, widow or widower’s benefits, your marriage may affect your benefit. To learn more about how marriage affects benefits, check out our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.

  2. Michele F.

    Hi i am trying to help my friend apply she is in the process of a divorce and is 67 years old her first husband of 33 years died while they were married. does she have to wait to collect on her deceased spouse until shes divorced?

    • Luis A.

      Hi Michele. Your friend must be legally divorced before she may apply for benefits as a widow. For more information, please visit our internet page on benefits for widows. For specific questions, your friend should call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. We hope this information helps.

  3. Vanessa D.

    My cousin reieves a disability check monthly. He is considering marrying. Will his check be reduced as she currently has a job? How about his healthinsurance he gets along with his check?

  4. Douglas F.

    This didnt help me at all. If I remarry after 60, and now getting regular SS payments, will it affect my monthly payment?
    She is not a US citizen.

  5. Richard E.

    If my fiancé and I get married will I still be eligible for spousal benefits under SSA

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Richard. Thanks for your question. If you receive retirement or Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, your marriage will not affect your benefit. If you are receiving 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. We hope this helps.

  6. Ruth S.

    If I get remarried at age 68, do I loose any of my current ss benefits? Also, plan on using current last name and adding new last name do I need to change my ss card? Also, is there anything else I should know or do concerning ss/medicare/benefits. Thank You

    • Luis A.

      Hi Ruth. If you are receiving your own retirement or Social Security disability insurance (SSDI) benefits, or you are receiving benefits as a surviving spouse, your marriage will not affect your benefit, at age 68. But, if you are receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), your new marriage may affect your benefit. Normally, Medicare is not affected by remarriage. To learn more about how marriage affects benefits, please see our Frequently Asked Questions. For more information on how marriage effects benefits, please read our spouses benefits information page. In reference to changing your name on your Social Security card, please follow the instructions found on this internet page. If you have more specific questions, you may also contact us by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday between 7:00 A.M. and 7:00 P.M. We hope this helps.

  7. Shalar S.

    I am 64 and will start receiving SSDI next month. Can my 62 year old wife of 14 years start receiving almost 1/2 of what I receive from SSDI until she gets to be 66 and starts drawing her SS? And if so how do I get her signed up?

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Shalar. For your wife to qualify for spouse’s benefits, you must be receiving retirement or disability benefits. Also, if she qualifies for Social Security benefits on her own record, we pay that amount first. But if she also qualifies for a higher amount as a spouse, she’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. For more information, visit our Benefits Planner: Benefits for Your Spouse. We hope this helps.

  8. Kenneth S.

    I am a 72 year old widower and planning getting married again. My future spouse is currently 58. Upon my death would she eligible to receive my benefits.

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Kenneth. Thanks for your question. Your wife may be are eligible to apply for survivor benefits as early as age 60 (age 50 or over if disabled). However, there are other factors that may affect her entitlement to these benefits. She can find more information on survivors benefits here. We hope this helps.

  9. Bernadette B.

    If I married my husband in 1983 and were divorced in 2006, then remarried him again in 2009 and he died in 2019, can I still collect his social security

    • Ann C.

      Hi, Bernadette. We are sorry to hear about your loss. If your husband worked long enough to be insured under Social Security, you may be eligible for Survivor benefits. For more information about survivors benefits, visit here. If you have specific questions about your situation, or to apply for benefits, call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.

  10. Mary B.

    I am receiving Social Security as “divorced widow” of my former spouse. If I remarry, will I lose his and begin receiving mine? Sorry, the wording is a bit confusing online.

    • Luis A.

      Hi, Mary. Thanks for your question. If you remarry before you reach age 60 (age 50 if disabled), you cannot receive benefits as a surviving spouse while you are married. If you remarry after you reach age 60 (age 50 if disabled), you will continue to qualify for benefits on your deceased spouse’s Social Security record. For more information on remarrying and how it may affect your survivor benefits, please visit our Survivors Benefit Planner. If you have additional questions about your benefits, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. We hope this helps.

Comments are closed.