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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Richard C.
I am 70 years old and getting divorced from my 68 year old wife. We both collect Social Security benefits. What happens if I remarry and I later die? My new wife will be under retirement age at the time we get married. So my question is about two scenarios. First, I die and my new wife is under the retirement age. What happens to my benefits? Second, I die and my new wife has already retired. What happens to my benefits?
Ray F.
Hello Richard. A widow can start receiving reduced benefits as early as age 60 (age 50 if disabled). Survivor’s benefits are paid at a higher rate, if your wife is receiving benefits on her own record at the time of your death, she will have to contact us to see if she is eligible for a higher (survivor’s) benefit amount.
Please visit our Benefits Planner for Survivors for more information.
Thanks!
Laura w.
I am on SSDI, my partner is on SSDI. How will this effect us, both, pro and con, if we marry. Does the 10 year rule apply? Any and all information would be most appreciated.
With Thanks;
LRB
Sarah
I was married for 19 1/2 years, divorced for almost 22 years, remarried, I am 61 1/2 years old, my ex isn’t married can I draw from his social security?
Ray F.
: Hello Sarah, you may be able to receive benefits on your ex-spouse’s record at age 62 if:
• You were married to your ex-spouse for at least 10 years;
• You are unmarried;
• Your ex-spouse is entitled to Social Security retirement or disability benefits and,
• The benefit you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s work.
For more information, please visit our Retirement Planner: If You Are Divorced.
If you’re currently married, please see “Benefits for you as a spouse“. If you need further assistance, call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Thanks!
pam
what a slap in the face when a second marriage last three times as long as the first
June
Can a widow over age 65 receive benefits from two deceased husbands
Ray F.
Hi June! It is possible for a person to be eligible under two records at the same time. However, we are only going to pay the highest benefit amount from either records – meaning- that you will only be allowed to receive one payment. Hope we’re able to provide clarity. Thanks!
Linda M.
I am 71 and receive survivor benefits if I remarry do I still receive survivor benefits. please answer thankyou
Ray F.
Great question, Linda! If you remarry after you reach age 60 (age 50 if disabled), your remarriage will not affect your eligibility for survivors benefits. Thanks.
Kimberly A.
I have a friend who gets SSI and she’s wondering if she married a gentleman who also recieves SSI will one of them lose their check. He is 80 and a widower but recieves his SSI because it is more than his deceased wifes and my friend is 67 and also recieves SSI.
Ray F.
Thank you for your question, Kimberly. For individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), getting married may affect their monthly benefit. This is because the amount of the SSI benefit is based, in part, on the income available to him or her and the spouse. See “If I get married, will it affect my benefits” for more information.
M S.
roommate who needed green card married brother on SSI.Roommate married 6/4/15 one month before brother died 7/8/2015. Said her income was low so brother would still qualify for SSI. Widow had $100,000 in another credit union bank in another state. Wouldn’t that make my brother not qualified so Widow should pay back benefits that were paid in June and July. I was against the marriage where she secretly had a confidential marriage while he was on heavy morphine medication.
Ray F.
If you suspect or know of someone committing fraud against Social Security, report it.
Sally S.
My current husband was married for 15 years to another woman and now he’s remarried and they have been married over 15 years. He dies. Which spouse receives his social security benefits?
Ray F.
Hello Sally. Potentially, both could receive survivor’s benefits. One as a widow, the other as surviving divorced spouse. See “If You Are The Survivor” for more information. Thanks!
Garnis a.
After remarrying how long would it take being married before the new wife would be eligible for husbands social security
Ray F.
Thank you for your question, Garnis. Generally, you must be married for one year before you can get spouse’s benefits.