Will Remarrying Affect My Social Security Benefits?
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: January 29, 2025
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.
Note: If you receive Disabled Adult Child (DAC) benefits on the record of a retired, disabled, or deceased parent, your benefits will likely end if you get married. There are exceptions, such as marriage to another DAC, when the benefits are allowed to continue. Our rules vary depending on the situation. For more information, visit our Disability Planner or contact us.
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Bee
I received dac from my father. That ended when I married at 36. The marriage was for a year and I am now divorced. I did get SSI after my divorce. My father died in 2019 and recently I had a reevaluation. My issue is I also received a letter from SSDI saying I claimed benefits under my father. I did not and the offices I have spoken to have not been helpful. Can someone clarify?
S.S.
Hi, Bee. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. To speak with a representative about your benefits, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
lor
I was married 14 years the first time, and am currently in a 12 year marriage with my 2nd husband. We married before age 65. Can I choose weather to collect on my own, either my ex-husband, or my current husband’s, depending which is largest?
S.S.
Hi, Lor. Thanks for reading our blog and for your question. Under the existing law, if you’re eligible for benefits both as a retired worker and as a spouse, you must apply for both benefits, and you’ll receive a combined benefit equaling the higher spouse’s amount. This requirement is called “deemed filing” because when you apply for one benefit you are “deemed” to have also applied for the other benefit. Deemed filing rules do not apply to people born before 1/2/1954. You can learn more at Filing Rules for Retirement and Spouses Benefits. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. To discuss your specific situation, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
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?
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.
Tameka B.
I got married Dec 21-2024 and they took my whole ssi check
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.
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
S.S.
Hi Maria. Thank you for reading our blog. You could still be eligible for surviving spouse benefits if you remarried after you reached 60. For more information, visit our Survivors Planner. To learn more about your eligibility and options, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. In addition, you may wish to read our publication, What Every Woman Should Know. We hope this information is helpful.
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.
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?
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.
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%?
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.
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.
Paul G.
“you may be able to get benefits” is not very helpful. How can I determine this?
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.
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
KAP
Don’t worry.about it Nobody wants to marry an old plus sixty year old griping, crippled divorcee anyway.
Cindy
Sorry about that rude comment!!
That person needs to be kicked off here….
Bobbie
I agree with you Cindy. No one needs to hear that negativity. I pray she keeps the faith and allows her heart to heal. Thank you for keeping it in perspective sweetheart. ❤️❤️❤️