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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Martha H.
My sister receives benefits under her ex husband’s records. They were married for 32 years. If she remarries how does it affect her benefits. Will she be eligible for anything else. Thanks
S.S.
Hi, Martha. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Your sister could be eligible for keeping her surviving spouse benefits only if she remarries after she reaches age 60. For more information, visit our Survivors Planner. To learn more about eligibility and options, she can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. In addition, she may wish to read our publication, What Every Woman Should Know. We hope this information is helpful.
Michael C.
What does “Generally” mean in the statement published in the above article: Generally, if you remarry, benefits paid to you on your former spouse’s record stop.
Is there a way to keep the benifits if the ex spouse is still alive, or not?
S.S.
Hi, Michael. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Remarriage after age 60 (age 50 if you have a disability) may not affect your eligibility for survivors benefits. To learn more about your eligibility and options, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. For more information about surviving spouse benefits, visit our Survivors Planner. We hope this information is helpful.
Alex G.
Survivor benefits don’t apply but..What does “Generally” mean if you remarry while collecting benefits off of divorced spouse account ( not-deceased ) and are over age 60. Is there a way to keep the benefits if the ex-spouse is still alive?
Person was eligible for own benefits, did not apply when remarried and continued to collect benefits from ex-spouse account and now being asked to pay back full amount paid but not getting back payments on her own benefit. It seems really unfair. Any recourse?
Danny h.
Age 62:really bad health; doctors said apply for disability! So QUESTION? PLEASE help me get a ANSWER! Was married 8-1985-9-25-2009 divorced! 2 grown kids She passed away in May-2022 She never ReMarried. I remarried in 3-2016. Can I legally draw
Danny
I just want to know if I can draw anything off of my ex-spouse or should I just go ahead and apply for my social security retirement and disability status
S.S.
Hi, Danny. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefit, you may be able to get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse’s amount. For more information, visit our Benefits for Spouses page. To speak with a representative about your eligibility for spouse’s benefits and your retirement benefits, 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.
S.S.
Thanks for your question and for reading our blog, Danny. 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. Since you remarried, 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. For more information, read our Survivors Publication. We hope this helps.
Joni N.
I was married for 53 yrs my husband passed away 3 yrs ago an I received his Social Security, I’m 73 yrs old a thinking of remarrying will my Social Security stop .joni
S.S.
Hi, Joni. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Remarriage after age 60 (age 50 if you have a disability) may not affect your eligibility for survivors benefits. To learn more about your eligibility and options, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. For more information about surviving spouse benefits, visit our Survivors Planner and read What Every Woman Should Know. We hope this information is helpful.
jeff c.
I am collecting ss, my wife still works. if we get divorced will collect on her ss since she making a lot more than I did
Tommy W.
I was married to my 1st wife for 13 years. We have been divorced for over 21 years. I retired in 2022. I started my Social Security at age 67. I have remarried. My 1st wife has not remarried. Does she have the right to take a percentage of my Social Security check?
Sharon C.
Hi Tommy,
From what I have read on the SS info, when an EX spouse draws from you, that does not effect the amount that you receive, you continue getting what ever amount you are receiving.
Nancy D.
I am wondering i remarried and my new husband past away 6 months after we married. I live in. N.Y. so i am not able to receive his social security.. How ever my question is can his ex wige who has not remarried able to receive his socil security ??
S.S.
Thanks for your question and for reading our blog, Nancy. 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. For more information, read our Survivors Publication. We hope this helps.
Nancy G.
I am single age 62. If I should marry after I start claiming soc sec benefits can my new husband qualify for survivors benefits or is it a one shot deal such that I claimed while single and he won’t get anything?
Brend P.
I am 81 yrs old, married for 63 yrs. If I divorce current hubby (still living)and remarry can I continue to draw from ex husbands SS?
Sharon C.
I would say yes to that from the SS info I have read.
Margo w.
My ex husband just passed away of 16 years, am I entitled his social security benefit, I am married
Sharon C.
Yes, I am drawing my late husband’s SS now. He died in 1987 at a young age of 34 I was 30. We were married 12 years. I am 68 now and his was more than my SS, so I left mine alone and drawing his. I did remarry, but that marriage lasted 27 years I divorced him in 2017. So when I turn 70 in 2026, I will check with SS to see if mine then is more that I am currently drawing from my late husband. Then when my ex dies, he worked 2 jobs the whole time we was married up till he retired, I think last year, I retired in 2022, I will check again with SS to see if my ex husband’s SS is more than what I will be drawing at the time of his death. If it is more, I will switch to his. I have not remarried since I left my ex. You can only draw up to 50% of an ex spouse’s SS. Once your ex dies, then you can get 100% of what your age is at that time.