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. Salvador C.

    Hello my Name is Salvador C. Pulido I’m receiving social security benefits I’m 67 years old and widower. If I get married some time this year will my wife be able receive social security benefits under my social security ?
    Thank you
    Salvador C. Pulido

    • Ray F.

      Thank you for your question, Salvador. Generally, you must be married for one year before you can get spouse’s benefits.

  2. margarita j.

    I want to know what is the correct way to change the last name after marriage. If wife wants to keep her parents’ last name, must be hyphenated?

    • Ray F.

      In order to change your name on your Social Security card, you must show us a document that proves your legal name change. If the document you provide as evidence of a legal name change does not give us enough information to identify you in our records, you must show us an identity document in your “old” name (as shown in our records) and another document showing your “new” name.
      We offer the option to mail your completed application with the (original or certified) documents to your local Social Security office or the nearest Card Center in your area.
      To learn more on the process and what documents you will need to get a card, please visit our “Social Security Number and Card” web page. We hope this helps!

  3. Kathy

    As a widow who married and then divorced, am I eligible for my 1st husband’s social security benefits?

    • Ray F.

      Hi Kathy. Generally, you must be unmarried in order to be entitled to widow’s benefits. To see if you’re eligible for -either- a divorced spouse benefits or benefits as a widow, you will need to speak with a Social Security representative. Call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks!

  4. patti G.

    i want to get married and my fiance is getting ssi i am getting ssdi will my fiance loose all his ssi benifits if we get married

  5. Joy k.

    What does it mean if your marriage was annulled mean. What type of annullmen

  6. Marie S.

    Me and my ex husband remarried after our devorce. My husband passed away. I now receive benefits for him. My question to you if my first husband should pass Wil I be eligible for benefits from that husband too although his wife is still alive.

  7. Sharon M.

    I draw SSDI, If I get married and my spouse also draws SSDI will our income change? I also get help with my premiums and my pharmacy RX. Will I loose my extra help?

  8. Linda L.

    What if my ex spouse remarried. Would i still b eligible. He married 2 yrs after our divorce tp the woman he had an affair with while we we still married

    • Ray F.

      Hello Linda. If you are divorced, but your marriage lasted 10 years or longer, you can receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record even if he’s remarried, as long as you meet all other factors of eligibility.

  9. catherine

    I am considering remarrying my 1st husband whom I was married to for 18 years. Will I be able to draw on his social security after losing benefits from my 2nd husband?

  10. Judith B.

    I now receive benefits from my ex-husband’s social security. I am 74 and wish to marry a non-US citizen. Will I lose my current benefits?

    • Ray F.

      Thank you for your question, Judith. If you remarry, you generally cannot collect benefits on your former spouse’s record unless your later marriage ends. See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information.

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