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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Julia s.
I am 76 years old and contemplating marriage to a 72 year old man.
We both draw social security.
How would marriage affect our income?
We’re hearing conflicting info.
Please clarify for us.
Thanks
Vonda
Hi Julie, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for how marriage may affect other benefits. We hope this helps!
Vera B.
My mother is a widow and over 75. She receives Social Security from Switzerland. She is engaged to an American Citizen that gets Social Security. What will happen to their benefits when they marry? Will my mother’s benefits be cut, but her new husbands increase? Where can we get information about this?
Vonda
Hi Vera, thanks for using our blog. According to current policy, a spouse must meet a 1 year duration-of-marriage requirement just before filing for the spousal benefit. We cannot answer your question regarding the effect the marriage would have on your mother’s Switzerland benefit.
We recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact the nearest Federal Benefit Unit in the area for any assistance related to Social Security programs and benefits. Also, our Office of International Operations home page provides more information to assist our customers living abroad.
Lori
I”m 57 years old and drawing survivor benefits on my husband,,,I’m also on disability to..If i remarry will i lost my survivor benefits? I have been reading and it says as long as i’m over 50 and getting my own disability I wont.
David B.
My son waz 33 when his life ended,his ex which has been remarried for a few years jas two kids with him but he lost all rights tobthem from dfacs so who gets his social security
Vonda
We are very sorry for your loss, David. Your grandsons may be eligible for survivor benefits if their father earned enough Social Security credits through his work. Unmarried children who are under 18 (up to age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time) can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits when a parent dies. Their mother would be the appropriate applicant to apply for the benefits if they’re living with her.
You’ll find more information in our “Benefits For Children” pamphlet. If you have additional questions, please call us at 1-800-772-1213 or your local office. You’ll find the phone number using our Social Security Office Locator.
Tina
My husband was married to his ex for 22 years and then divorced. We’ve been married for a year now. If my husband passes before me who will get his SS benefits. The ex or myself
Elma M.
I am on social security. My boyfriend is also on social security. If we marry, will either of us lose our benefits?
Sue
Hi Elma Mae, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions webpage to learn how marriage may affect your and your boyfriend’s benefits. We hope this helps!
Nancy U.
I am 73 years old and on disability. My fiance is 77 and on SS. If we marry, will either of our benefits change?
Vonda
Hi Nancy, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for how marriage may affect other benefits. We hope this helps!
Cathy M.
I notice some of your reader’s questions address remarrying. However, I also noted that the answer is always something to the affect of continuing to be eligible for the first husband’s earnings record. My question is: If a woman remarries and she is drawing her deceased husbands FRA, upon the remarriage does that FRA get reduced. I believe it does and hence the term Marriage Penalty.
Janelle
I am 62 and draw survivor benefits. My boyfriend is 62 and just started drawing SS early retirement benefits.
If we marry, I know my benefits won’t change, but will his?
Vonda
Hi Janelle, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for how marriage may affect other benefits. We hope this helps!
Kayla L.
If I marry someone who is not a us citizen will it change my social security benefits
Vonda
Hi Kayla, thanks for using our blog. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for how marriage may affect other benefits. We hope this helps!
Christine b.
My husband died 5 yrs ago. I am 45. We have children. They receive survivor benefits paid to me. I was told by a ss worker that even if i remarry they will still get their benefits. Well i ended up meeting someone and remarrying and it was a terrible turnout. However The benefits stopped. Im in the process of annulment. Can i reapply for those benefits?
Sue
We’re sorry for your losses, Christine. You may reapply for survivors benefits once your current marriage has legally ended, but if you’re working, there is a limit to how much you can earn. To restart your benefits, please call your local Social Security office. You’ll find the phone number here. Your benefits can continue until your youngest child turns 16. For more information, read our What You Need to Know When You Get Retirement or Survivors Benefits pamphlet.
Rachelle R.
Hello, Sue , so if you do remarry, the child’s benefits are ceased? Im 45 as well and would like to remarry but I don’t want my child’s benefits taken away. Say the marriage does not work out and u reapply for widow benefits , will u receive them again , or it just a maybe ? Thank you for clarifying this for me.. God bless !
Carol w.
I am 75 and draw my widow benefits. If I remarry will my benefits stop or be reduced.