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. Wendy H.

    If 2 people receiving SSA benefits, both are over the age of 66 if they got married would it affect their non married monthly SSA income?
    What is the difference between a couple’s rate and an individual rate?

    • Vonda

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

  2. Brittany B.

    Who can I talk to bout social security and benefits how can it affect me by getting married

    • Vonda

      Hi Brittany, 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. Toni K.

    I plan to remarry. I am currently receiving SSI that I earn. Will my SSI be affected? And will his SSI be affected as well.

    • Vonda

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

      • William V.

        In that link it says it ‘may’ affect my benefits and that really doesn’t help me know how it will affect my ssi and ssd benefits, I get both. My new fiancée has a Masters degree and works in a high school making really good money. I will not be a burden on her income in anyway so I will not legally marry her if that is going to happen but Is that going to happen????

        • Vonda

          Hi William. 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.

  4. soraya M.

    I am widowed 15 years. I am thinking of changing my married name to my maiden name, I am not retired yet, will be in 4 years. Will it affect my retirement social security check under my husbands name.

    • Vonda

      Hi Soraya, thanks for using our blog. If you legally change your name, you will need to change your name with Social Security as well. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for the details. We hope this helps!

  5. sorayalevy9@yahoo.com

    I am widowed 15 years. I am thinking of changing my married name to my maiden name, I am not retired yet, will be in 4 years. Will it affect my retirement social security check under my husbands name.

  6. Joseph F.

    My 1st wife passed away at a young age. We were married 17 years. I remarried, but got divorced after two years. Am I still entitled to my 1st wife’s social security benefits when I retire if I am no longer married?

  7. Donna w.

    My second marriage only lasted 8 months am I still entitled to my first husband social security benefits?

  8. Ricardo H.

    I’m 71 years old and getting married in a few months. I’m currently getting widow’s benefits. Can I still continue to get those benefits?

    • Vonda

      Hi Richardo, thank you for the question. Widow(er)s 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!

  9. Patricia C.

    I’m getting married tomorrow if I don’t change my last name if my spouse dies can I still get his social security benefits, He is drawing his full retirement

    • Vonda

      Hi Patricia, thanks for using our blog. If your name is correct on your Social Security card and you choose not to legally change it due to marriage, there is no action that is needed with Social Security. It will not affect your future benefits. We hope this helps!

  10. Linda H.

    I am 67 years old and receive widow benefits social security benefits. I plan to remarry to a man who is 64 and is currently retired and receiving his Social Security retirement benefit. Will my remarriage affect the amount I currently receive as a widow? Will it affect the amount he currently receives?

    • Vonda

      Hi Linda, 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!

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