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. Yugank K.

    Get Heavy Discounts on Your Online Shopping

  2. Mary R.

    Mjrjones1982@yahoo.com. . My question is how long do I have to wait to remarry and continue to receive my SSI off my ex husband. And when I remarry I am not changing my name. The guy I. Marry isn’t old enough to collect any SSI.

    • Ray F.

      See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information. Thanks!

      • Vanessa M.

        I recieved a higher amount than the money my fiance gets is he entitled to part of my check and how much would I loose. I also get job retirement money he does not.

  3. Dianna Y.

    I’m 66 I receive my last husband ss, his benefit is higher than mine, if I remarry how would this affect my benefit I’m marring a man 67 who get ss also.

  4. Bert C.

    If I marry my girlfriend and she is on SSI and I am on Social Security Disability and I just turned 65 will it affect her benefits or mine?

    • Ray F.

      Good question, Bert. 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.

  5. Betty

    I’m 66 and started receiving widow’s benefits several months ago. If I remarry, will I lose those benefits?

  6. Maria I.

    Thanks , I am thinking if I get married with a person that has a pension higher than me, and I receive SSI and SSA, it seems that I can keep the small amount because he receives a higher amount…. Suppose that we are already married and if he has 76 and he dies and we do not have the year that you need to have here in California, what happens to me .. if I will be receiving just 262 , (with no SSA 653 ) …. I mean then what happen if he dies before the year and I am alone?… thanks for your answer…

    • Ray F.

      Hi Maria. Generally, you must be married for one year before you can get spouse’s benefits. There may be exceptions to the duration of marriage requirement, when it comes to survivor’s benefits. In your case, is best that you speak to a Social Security representative. Please call our toll free telephone number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Also, read “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information. Thanks!

  7. Laurie R.

    Not very helpful

  8. Paris H.

    I want to change my address, but as I was opening my aaount and had given my ss dddate of birth number , address, phone #, my info was gone. I could not retrieve it. I wanted to give you my new address, but could not finish opening my account. I think hackers might have taken my personal info!!! Help! I knew I should not have tried to do this online!

  9. Lucy W.

    Will my social security disability check be cut out if I remarry , say this month for instance ???

    • Ray F.

      Thank you for your question, Lucy. If you get Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits and you marry, your benefit will stay the same. On the other hand, If someone is receiving disability benefits under the Supplemental Security Income or SSI program, getting married may affect their benefits. This is because the amount of SSI benefit is based, in part, on the income and resources available to the individual receiving SSI benefits and the income and resources of his or her spouse. We hope this information helps.

  10. David S.

    Female 54 years old under 100% disability via SSDI and if she gets married to Retired person over 65 is their any impact to the amount paid to her via SSDI?

    • Ray F.

      Hi David. 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. See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information.

Comments are closed.