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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Carolyn R.
I am divorced and draw my benefits from my own Social Security benefits. I would like to remarry. Will this affect my amount of earnings?
Ray F.
Hello Carolyn, if you get Social Security disability or retirement benefits on your own record and you marry, your benefit will stay the same. See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits?” for more information. Thanks!
Geraldine R.
Hello! I am 68 collecting my own Social Security and pension even though I was divorced ( I collect none of m y ex husband’s SS).
My fiance is 73, and collects his own SS and a pension as well.
When we get married, will one of us have to forfeit half of their SS payment? Thank you!
Ray F.
Hi Geraldine! If you get Social Security retirement benefits on your own record and you marry, your benefit will stay the same. See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information.
Rod S.
My fiance, age 74, is receiving her deceased husband’s social security benefit because his benefits are larger than his at the time of his death. I am 75 yrs. old;
when we marry, will she continue receiving her deceased husband’s benefits or will she receive her original social security benefit amount?
Thank you very much.
Ray F.
Thank you for your question, Rod. If a widow or widower remarries after they reach age 60 (age 50 if disabled), the remarriage will not affect their eligibility for survivors benefits. See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information.
Rose A.
Couples rate if one marries what exactly does that mean What percentage is lost ?
Susan K.
I am drawing social security on my own earned income/ previous wages (not my deceased husband”s). If I marry, will my monthly amount decrease?
Thank you.
Patty
I am receiving my deceased wife’s Social Security benefits because they were more than mine. I am age 72 and would like to get married to a 53-year-old. Will I lose my deceased wife’s Social Security.
Roberta B.
My fiance and I are in our 70’s. Both already collect SS checks. His is much larger than mine. Will I continue to get my small check and / or will I be able to claim some of his immediately after we are married ?
Carol H.
I am a 75 year old widow for 14 yrs. I draw retirement benefits on my own. If I remarry will it effect
jack s.
I ask if a woman that is 71 and remarries will lose here s.s.. and all I got was info about everything before 60 yrs old.
Loretta S.
What requirements need to be met if I remarried after my husband passed, then divorced after I turned 60 yrs. Old. The remarriage lasted 11 yrs. I was married to my husband who passed away for 10 yrs Thank you for your time.
Ray F.
Hi Loretta. To learn how you may qualify as a survivor on your deceased husband’s record, visit our Benefits Planner for Survivors. For benefits as a divorced spouse see “If You Are Divorced“. Thanks!