General, Survivors

Will Remarrying Affect My Social Security Benefits? 

August 22, 2024 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: August 22, 2024

An elderly couple's wedding photo on a beachWhether it’s a morning ceremony or an evening gala, excitement is in the air. You’re getting remarried! We can help you with Social Security-related questions regarding your remarriage.

You may be wondering about changing your name on your Social Security card. Visit our Change name with Social Security page and answer a few questions to find out the best way to apply for a replacement card with your new last name. You may even be able to complete the application completely online.

If you can’t complete the application online, you can start your replacement card application online, then visit a local Social Security office or card center. You may be able to self-schedule an appointment online to visit an office to show your original marriage certificate and complete your application.

We’ll mail an updated card to you, usually within 14 business days. Remember to let your employer know about your name change so they can update payroll records, and we can accurately keep track of your earnings.

You may be wondering how your new marriage affects your Social Security benefits now or in the future. Remarrying may affect your benefits if you receive (or expect to receive) any of the following:

  1. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments – Your SSI eligibility and payment amount may change (or stop) due to your new spouse’s income and resources. If you and your spouse both get SSI, your payment amount may change from a single person’s rate to a couple’s rate. Be sure to call us right away at 1-800-772-1213 to report your marriage to avoid being overpaid.
  2. Surviving spouse or divorced surviving spouse benefits – 
    • If you remarry before age 50You won’t be eligible for survivors or disability benefits as a surviving spouse unless your later marriage ends by divorce or annulment.
    • If you remarry between the ages of 50 and 59You may be able to get benefits as a disabled surviving spouse (or disabled surviving divorced spouse) if you were disabled and unable to work when you remarried and your remarriage occurred after age 50. If you remarry before you reach age 60 and that marriage ends, you may be able to get benefits on your previous deceased spouse’s record. Your benefits may begin the first month in which the later marriage ended if all entitlement requirements are met. Contact us if you have questions.
    • If you remarry after age 60You may be eligible for survivors benefits on your deceased spouse’s record or benefits on your new spouse’s record. Contact us to find out where you are due the greatest benefit amount.

For more information, read our Survivors Benefits publication or visit our Survivor benefits page.

  1. Divorced spouse’s benefits Generally, if you remarry, benefits paid to you on your former spouse’s record stop. You should report your new marriage to us to avoid being overpaid.
  2. Children’s benefits (under age 18 or full-time student ages 18 or 19) – Under certain circumstances, we may be able to make payments to stepchildren of a worker who receives retirement or disability benefits. For more information about benefits for children, visit our Who can get Family benefits page. Contact us if you have questions.

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  1. Mel

    All this article does is explain about if your receiving survivors benefits as a spouse and remarry but what about an adult disabled child getting married?
    I used to be paid under my own work record but then when my dad died they changed it to me being paid under my dads work record (survivors) but what they never told me was that meant I can never get married or I will lose my benefits? The only way I support myself right now? So I have to chose between getting married or keeping my benefits?
    How can I change it back to how I was originally being paid my benefits then under my own record?

    Reply
    • T.Y.

      Hello, Mel. Thank you for reading our blog. We pay Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits to adults who have a disability that began before they were 22. The benefit is paid on the record of a parent who is deceased or receives Social Security retirement or disability benefits. In most cases, Disabled Adult Child benefits end if the child gets married. There are exceptions, such as marriage to another Disabled Adult Child, when the benefits are allowed to continue. Our rules vary depending on the situation. For more information, visit our Disability Planner. If you have specific questions about your benefits, contact your local Field Office. We hope this information helps.

      Reply
  2. Rose

    I am 73 and receiving my ex social security
    If I remarry my partners is less than my ex. Will I be able to collect on my ex instead or will that go away.

    Reply
  3. Maria E.

    I am receiving my receiving my deceased ex-husband, Social Security. I am 67 I never remarried. I have 4 children from him. Married 14 years. If I got married this year, can I still continue to receive his Social Security? The person that I want to get married to is also on Social Security

    Reply
  4. Tamara G.

    Thank you
    Have been divorced for 15 years
    Married 26 years
    Spouse remarried and his SS is larger thatn mine
    Ex Spouse has been in a nursing home for 7 years.
    Can I collect his full SS beneifts now.

    Reply
  5. Jenny

    My late husband died 7 years ago. We have 2 kids with one anther. I get benefits for all 3 of us right now. I was wondering since I get mothers benefit and since my kids are still under 16 if I got remarried will my mothers benefits drop?

    Reply
    • T.Y.

      Hello, Jenny. We are sorry for your loss. Surviving spouses who remarry after age 60 (age 50 with a disability), may continue to be eligible for benefits on their deceased spouse’s Social Security record. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this information helps.

      Reply
  6. Monique M.

    If I remarry at 61, can I collect spousal benefits when I reach 67 based on the benefits of my ex spouse? I read I can collect survivor benefits, but if he is still alive, can I collect 50%?

    Reply
    • Veronica R.

      I want to know if I turn 61 years old, and if I remarry, will I still be able to receive spousers benefits from my late husband.

      Reply
      • T.Y.

        Hello, Veronica. Thank you for reading our blog. Surviving spouses who remarry after age 60 (age 50 with a disability), may continue to be eligible 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. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this information is helpful.

        Reply
        • Paul G.

          “you may be able to get benefits” is not very helpful. How can I determine this?

          Reply
  7. Leola F.

    If I got married in Aug 2024 and my husband applied for ssi 2years ago do he get that was old to him since they approve him.And do they give them a check since he has no income.

    Reply
  8. Susan m.

    It’s not right that we’re not allowed to remarry stuck in a marriage that was going nowhere for years married to him 14 years I’m 60 and I’ve been disabled since I’ve been 50. I only draw my own. He has to die if I can draw his or when I’m 63 I can draw his, but I can never remarry then that’s not right that’s like penalizing us

    Reply
    • KAP

      Don’t worry.about it Nobody wants to marry an old plus sixty year old griping, crippled divorcee anyway.

      Reply
      • Cindy

        Sorry about that rude comment!!
        That person needs to be kicked off here….

        Reply

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