Will Remarrying Affect My Social Security Benefits?
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 22, 2024
Whether 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:
- 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.
- Surviving spouse or divorced surviving spouse benefits –
- If you remarry before age 50 – You 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 59 – You 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 60 – You 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.
- 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.
- 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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Tags: General Information, survivors benefits
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Gessie J.
I am turning 61 yrs old next month. My husband deceased 11.5 years ago and we were married for 17 years. I remarried before I turned 50 and divorced a couple of years later in 2018, I would like to know if I am eligible for widower benefits from my deceased husband of 17 years? If yes, should I apply for his benefits now, will it be retroactive?
Thank you!
T.Y.
Thanks for your question and for reading our blog, Gessie. You are eligible to apply for survivors benefits when you reach age 60 (age 50 or over if you have a disability). However, other factors may affect your entitlement to these benefits. You can find more information on our survivors benefits page. If you remarry, we cannot pay you benefits as a divorced spouse. Benefits can be paid only if the most recent marriage ends by death, divorce, or annulment. To learn more about how marriage affects benefits, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Dian M.
Wait! I Read you CAN get ex spouse benefits EVEN if you REMARRY IF YOU do so at age 60?
Dawn
I receive Widow’s Disability and want to remarry, will I lose my benefits? What about my insurance, will I lose Medicare and Medicaid?
S.S.
Hi, Dawn. Thanks for your question and 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. For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions. We hope this helps.
Denise M.
I’m just checking my ex passed away 24 years ago I was 35 then now I’m 59 but I am disabled now I never remained do I qualify for his SS, I would love to know. Cause they told me I didn’t qualify back 24 years ago and my full name was
Denise M Sanchez. Please give me advice
Sharon C.
Hello Denise,
I am 68 now. My first husband died when he was 34 and I was 30. We had been married 12 years. I retired February 2022 when I was 66. I filed to draw MINE, but when I applied to draw mine, they contacted me to let me know that I could draw from my late husband if I wanted to. I did remarry and that marriage lasted 27 years, I divorced that one when I was 60. So SS has all the info about both husbands, and when they contacted me by email, they wanted me to call this certain person at SS, so I did and he told me I could do which ever, but after he told me I could draw from my late husband and get more than drawing from mine…I said yes, I will draw my late husband. I did not know that with him dying so young, that his would continue , I guess at the same salary he was making at the time of his death, not sure about that, so I have been drawing my late husband’s SS and not touch mine. So when I turn 70 in 2026, I will check with SS to see if MY SS will be more than I am drawing now from my late husband, and if it is more, then I will switch to my SS . And when my EX HUSBAND dies, his SS may be more than what I am drawing at the time. my ex worked 2 jobs before he retired and had always worked 2 jobs when we were married. So I have a feeling his WILL be more that what I will be drawing. And I have not remarried since my divorce in 2017.
Dennis
Retired at 62, now divorced and my ex is receiving a portion of my Social Security. If I remarry, what happens to her payment? Is it reduced or does it stay the same? And how do I report my new wife to the Social Security Administration?
Charlotte T.
I am a widow and 58 years old, my husband got disability and I am eligible to get it when I turn 60, if I remember marry at age 59, can I still receive the disability from my husband?
Therese S.
If i request SS payments to start in December and receive the first benefit in January, in which year will the funds be taxed?
Kathy N.
I’m about to turn 70 and I went down to the SS office. Waited and hour to be told I will be called with an appointment to apply.
Is this the only way?
S.S.
Hi, Kathy. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. When you’re ready to apply, you can complete the online application in as little as 15 minutes. To discuss your benefits with a representative, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Edgar G.
What about a widower older than 75 years old that remarries? Will he losses his late spouse’s Widow S.S. benefits?
T.Y.
Hello, Edgar. 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 helps.
ANITA S.
The sad part is ppl get penalized no matter what they seem to try & do. A person now days can’t go to church , get married & drawl anything from the government due to losing everything. It’s sad. So many ppl dying alone, heart broken & sad because no matter how much they love their significant other if they marry they just about lose all benefits if not all. I would love to marry & not have to think of dying alone but if I was to meet a man & marry him I would lose every thing I have. I feel this is where the who marrying bull is unfair & the age ppl have to be now to drawl their retirement that (“THEY’VE”) worked so hard for all their lives (“NOT” the government. . By the time my mom was able to drawl her social security she had developed brain cancer & still had to fight to get it & two weeks after finally getting it she passed away.
Yvonne G.
I would like to know about the Widow Pension. How does this affect them? Also, I retired early,, at 53 yrs old. I put in 30 yrs, but I didn’t file for ss when I’m 70 yrs (only 3 yrs to go).. Should I wait to file under my SS, or continue on widow’s benefits? Please advise.
Nancy M.
I am73 drawing from deceased divorced husband if I remarry can I continue to draw same benefits
T.Y.
Hi, Nancy. Thanks for your question and 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 helps.
S.S.
Hi, Yvonne. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. The rules for receiving survivor benefits can be complicated and vary depending on the situation. To learn more, read our guest blog. To speak with a representative about your situation, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. We hope this helps.
Elizabeth G.
When a divorced woman who already receives Social Security benefits remarries, does it affect her future Social Security benefits?