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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Sally S.
My husband passed after 28 yrs of marriage. I remarried at age 50, two years later I divorced. Am I still eligible for to retire at 60 as a widow? What are the requirements to be eligible as receiving survivor benefits? I don’t want to put in for retirement and the find out I’m not eligible for social security at 60 and no longer have a job.
Vonda V.
Hi Sally, thanks for using our blog. If your first husband worked long enough under Social Security, there may be benefits payable to you as a widow as long as you are unmarried. You may be eligible for reduced widows benefits as early as age 60 (age 50 if disabled) or a full widowers benefit at full retirement age or older. The widow benefit amount is based on your husband’s earnings. The more he paid into Social Security, the higher the benefit would be. The benefits will not be established automatically, you will have to contact us to make an appointment. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal.
For additional information, visit our Survivors Planner.
Ca
If you r mentally I’ll n get remarried at 50 will it hurt your x social security
Vonda V.
Hi there. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how marriage may affect benefits. We hope this helps!
Karen R.
once I remarry will I lose any of my late spouses SS
Karen R.
once I remarry will I lose any of my late spouses SS
Ann C.
Hi, Karen. 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.
Michael A.
My wife passed away in 1996. I remarried in 2001 and divorced in 2003. I turned 60 this year 2020 on June 30th. I am single. Do I qualify for benefits from my deceased wife?
Ann C.
Hi, Michael. We are sorry to hear about your loss. In order for you to be eligible for your wife’s survivors benefits, your wife must have worked long enough to be insured under Social Security. To learn more about benefits that may be available to you, please visit here. If you have specific questions about your situation, please work with your local office. We hope this helps.
Shelby M.
Me and my boyfriend want to get married he is 50 he was married before but his wife died will he still be able to get his dead wife SSI if we get married
Vonda V.
Hi Shelby, thanks for using our blog to ask your question. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how marriage may affect benefits. We hope this is helpful!
Ilene
Hi my name is Ilene,
My first husband passed away in 2006 at age 49, I was 47. We were married for 26 years. I remarried in 2013 at age 56. I understand I do not qualify to receive my late husbands SS. ( which is ridiculous)!! Can I receive any of my current husbands SS. He will be turning 65 in September. What are my options?
Vonda V.
Hello Ilene. We will always pay your own retirement benefit first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. However, your spouse’s benefit cannot exceed one-half of your husband’s full retirement amount (not his reduced benefit amount). So, you can only receive additional spouse’s benefits if your own full retirement benefit (not your reduced benefit) is less than half of your husband’s full retirement benefit.
Generally, during the initial interview when applying for Social Security benefits, we typically explore all other benefits that could yield you a higher benefit amount. Check out our Benefits for a Spouse web page for additional details.
Brenda
My father was married to my mother for 46 years and we just found out that he never divorced his first wife. Will my mother qualify for the widow spousal benefit? and what rights does the first wife has?
Vonda V.
Hi Brenda, thanks for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Kenneth S.
Both of us are over 65 and want to marry , will our benefits change.
Kathy M.
My ex spouse just passed and I was married to him for 18 years..I remarried at age 71…I draw my own social security..my question is can I get survivors benefit from my ex spouse…Thank you
Kenny O.
Hi Kathy, thank you for using our blog. If your ex-spouse is deceased and you want to file for surviving divorced widow’s benefits, you cannot apply online. To apply for survivor benefits, call us at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.