Getting remarried? The only Social Security benefit you may lose

Getting remarried can give a person another opportunity to have everlasting love. It can be an exciting time but if you are collecting Social Security, you may have some paperwork to fill out beyond the marriage license.

For starters, if you choose to change your last name, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration about getting an updated Social Security card. You will also need to inform your employer so that the name on the card and your payroll records are the same.

Then there is the matter of possible changes to your Social Security benefits if you are already collecting them.

Remarriage and Social Security benefits

If you are collecting benefits from your own contributions to the Social Security program, they will not be affected. If you are eligible for benefits based on your former spouse’s work history, the Social Security Administration will pay the greater of the two, but not both.

However, if you are receiving benefits from a previous spouse’s work record, there’s a chance those payments could stop if you get remarried.

Divorced spouse benefits

Americans who get divorced are permitted to collect retirement benefits based on their former spouse’s work record if they were married to that person for ten years or more, are currently not married and are over the age of 62.

Generally, an ex-spouse collecting divorced spouse benefits can expect to receive about 50% of what their former spouse would be paid at the claimant’s age, and it does not affect the benefit amount your ex-spouse receives.

Generally, though, the SSA will stop paying you benefits on that former spouse’s record if you remarry. Furthermore, the agency advises that you report your new marriage to avoid being overpaid.

Survivor benefits

As far as a benefits for surviving spouses and surviving divorced spouses go, you may be eligible to get the same amount that your deceased spouse would have received. However, the age at which you get remarried will determine in both cases if you are entitled to survivor benefits from an ex-spouse.

Getting remarried before you turn 50, the SSA says that “you won’t be eligible for survivors or disability benefits as a surviving spouse unless your later marriage ends by divorce or annulment.”

Between age 50 and 59, if you were disabled and unable to work when you remarried you may be eligible for benefits as a disabled surviving spouse or disabled surviving divorced spouse. Additionally, if you remarry before age 60, and that marriage ends, the agency says that you may be able to claim survivor benefits on your previous spouse’s record.

If you remarry after age 60 you may be able to receive survivor’s benefits on either your previous or new spouse’s record.

It is best to consult with the SSA to find out exactly what benefits you are entitled to as each person’s situation is different.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is based on income and resources of a household. This means that the amount you are eligible for could changed if you get remarried even if you are both receiving SSI. Again, the SSA advises to call them immediately at 1-800-772-1213 if you get married, or to report any change in your living situation, to avoid being overpaid.

How to apply for benefits?

The SSA notes that a claim can be filed online using the Social Security Retirement/Medicare Application to apply for retirement, spousal, divorced spouse, or Medicare benefits.

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