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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Marlene K.
We are both 80 years old this year and are thinking about getting married. We both draw off our own earnings records. Will this change if we were to get married?
Ann C.
Hi, Marlene. 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. We hope this helps.
Terry S.
I’m 57, twice married and divorced . First husband 7 years. Second marriage 20 years. Meet a widower and together for 7 years together Meet a now 62 years man. He collects retired widow payments. We want to marry. Should I not do this or do I need to wait until 62 or more?? Do I get number 2 husband widow payments if he dives or new husband? Thank you!!
Ann C.
Hi, Terry. 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. You will not receive both benefits, but you can choose which benefit to receive. We hope this helps.
Elke W.
I am 71 and receive SS, will my SS be affected if I get married?
Ann C.
Hi, Elke. 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 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. We hope this helps.
Sharon S.
I am 62 and receive benefits from my ex husband. If I remarry will I lose my SS? And if I remarry and my new husband died, which benefit would I be eligible for?
Ann C.
Hi, Sharon. 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. For specific questions, 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. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Laura N.
Will my social security disability check decrease if I get married?
Ann C.
Hi, Laura. 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. We hope this helps.
Joi J.
Will my benefits change being to the same sex
James M.
Hypothetical scenario! A father and mother of children were never married. The father dies and the children under the age of 18 are receiving survivor’s benefits that are sent to the mother who is caring for them since the children are underage. The mother of the children is considering remarrying. The fiance is receiving widower’s benefits from his deceased wife who died over 16 years ago. If the fiance and fiancee do marry while the children are still under 18, will the children’s survivors’ benefits be lost? Will an answer on this blog be considered official policy?
Bobbi R.
If both myself and my finance are receiving our SS benefits (both oveer age 70) and we get married will either of our SS benefits be reduced?
maxine F.
If I get remarried after age 60, will it affect my SS or my future husbands?
Luis A.
Hi Maxine. Thank you for your question. Please note that your future husband’s benefits will not be affected. As for you, the immediate answer to your question is: it depends. If you are receiving benefits under your own earnings record, you may apply to receive spouse’s benefits. If the the spouse’s benefits are higher than your own benefits, then you will receive a combination of your own benefits and spouse’s benefits that equal the higher amount. If you are a surviving spouse and remarry after age 60, your benefits will not be affected. You will have the right to apply for benefits as a new spouse, which may mean that you may get a higher amount of benefits or the benefits may stay the same. If, however, you are receiving benefits as a divorced spouse, your current benefits as a divorced spouse terminate, and you can file as a spouse under your To be eligible to receive benefits as a surviving divorced spouse, you must be unmarried unless you remarry after you reach age 60. For specific questions, please call our toll free number 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 information helps.
Karen
I’m 56 and remarried after my spouse of 31 years passed away. I was a stay at home mom, so I have very little SS points. Because I remarried, does that mean all my late husband SS that he paid into for years doesn’t go to me when I become of age? This is all so confusing. Thanks for your reply.
Ann C.
Hi, Karen. Thank you 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. 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. For more information on remarrying and its effect on your survivor benefits, please visit our Survivors Benefit Planner. We hope this helps.