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

Comments

  1. brenda

    I receive ssi and a get remarried, my spouse is 64 and receives ss retirement, how will it affect my ssi payments?

    • Vonda

      Hi Brenda, thank you for using our blog to ask your question. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs based program so a change in your income, assets and living arrangement can affect your benefits and it must be reported. You can call your local Social Security office. 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.

  2. Lydia R.

    Im 67 and receive ss benefits Im plannimg to get married next yr my fuancee is younger then me n working how will this affect my benefits?

    • Vonda

      Hi Lydia, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for how marriage may affect other benefits. We hope this helps!

  3. Jackie M.

    I am 69 and recently remarried in November 2020. I receive social security benefits as does my new spouse. I am not changing my name and will be filing my taxes separate from
    my spouse, what do we need to do to report to social security our marriage.

    • Sue

      Congratulations, Jackie, and thanks for your question. You do not need to report your marriage to us, unless you or your new husband was receiving divorced spouse benefits. If that is the case, you will need to contact your local Social Security Office to update your information. Our call volume and wait times are longer than normal, so please be patient.
      During the interview, we will explore all other benefit eligibility. For example, your new spouse may be eligible for benefits on your record since you are receiving Social Security benefits or vice versa: you may be eligible for benefits on your new spouse’s record. You must be married for at least one year before we can pay spouse’s benefits. For additional details, check out our Benefits For Your Spouse web page. We hope this information is helpful.

  4. Mike W.

    I am 67 years old and getting social security. I got married in August this year. Do I need to contact SS office and let them know?

    • Vonda

      Hi Mike, congratulations! Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for how marriage may affect other benefits. We hope this helps!

  5. Stephen A.

    Remarried 9/20/2020. Was trying to find out valuable information regarding my SSD & her SSI.

    • Vonda

      Hi Stephen, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for how marriage may affect other benefits. We hope this helps!

  6. ANN

    IAM CURRENTLY COLLECTING WIDOWS BENEFIT I AM 60 YEARS OLD AND CONSIDERING REMARRYING WILL THIS CHANGE MY BENEFIT AMOUNT

  7. Ouida

    Will I loses my Widows benefit if I remarry now at the age of 60

    • Vonda

      Hi Ouida, thank you for the question. Widows that remarry after age 60 (age 50 if disabled), may continue to qualify for benefits on their 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. Generally, you must be married for one year before you can get spouse’s benefits. Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions web page to see how marriage can affect Social Security benefits. We hope this helps!

    • may k.

      i am 57 years old.

      what if i remarry & end up divorce to my new spouse.

      do i still in title to my ex’s social security if he still alive( not die yet)??

      • Vonda

        Hi May, thanks for using our blog. If you are divorced and currently unmarried, you may be able to receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record if your marriage lasted 10 years or longer. Your benefit as a divorced spouse can be equal to one-half of your ex’s full retirement amount only if you start receiving those benefits at your full retirement age. If you begin to receive benefits at age 62 or prior to your full retirement age, your benefits are reduced. The reduction factors are permanently applied to all of the benefits you qualify for once you opt to start benefits at age 62 or at any time prior to your full retirement age.

        Remember, if you qualify for your own retirement benefits and for benefits as a divorced spouse, we always pay your own retirement benefits first. If your benefits as a divorced spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher divorced spouse benefit.

        Check out our Benefits for a Divorced Spouse web page for other eligibility requirements and more detailed information.

  8. Lana

    My daughter received a survivor’s benefit after her first husband passed away. When she got married again she lost the benefit. She is now getting a divorce. Is she eligible to receive the survivor’s benefit again once she’s divorced?

    • Jim A.

      — 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.

  9. Jerry C.

    Will I have to pay back any of my assistants for Part B and my co-payments for medication for 2020 if I get married before the end of 2020?

    • Vonda

      Hi Jerry, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for how marriage may affect other benefits. We hope this helps!

  10. Mimi

    will my social security monthly payment decrease if I get remarried after a divorce

    • Vonda

      Hello Mimi, if you get Social Security disability or retirement benefits and you marry, your benefit will stay the same. See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information. Thanks!

      • sheila a.

        If I remarry will my social security benefit decrease? He receives social security also.

        • Vonda

          Hello Sheila, thanks for your question. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for how marriage may affect other benefits. We hope this helps!

Comments are closed.