I'm getting remarried. How will this affect my Social Security benefits?

Answer:

It depends on your age. If you were receiving Social Security spousal benefits based on your former spouse's work record, these benefits will generally end upon your getting remarried. You must now look to your new spouse for these benefits. However, if you're over age 60 when you remarry or 50 and disabled, your eligibility for the spousal benefit under your first spouse's record will continue after you turn 62. The benefit is higher if you wait until you turn 65 to begin collecting. After you turn 65, the spousal benefit equals half the amount your spouse (or ex-spouse) receives. At any time, you may receive spousal benefits under the new marriage if you're eligible for a higher allowance through your new spouse. Also, if the benefits based on your own earnings are higher than your spousal benefit, you are paid according to your own work record.

If you're a widow(er) under age 60, or you're disabled but under 50, remarriage ends any benefits based on the record of your deceased spouse. However, if you remarry after age 60 (or after 50 and are disabled), those benefits remain intact, unless you choose to receive the spousal allowance through your new spouse. If your second marriage ends as a result of death, divorce, or annulment in less than 10 years, you will again be eligible to collect benefits on your first spouse's record. Benefits paid to a disabled widow(er) are unaffected by remarriage.

If you were the working spouse during your first marriage, your remarriage does not change the Social Security benefits paid to either your new spouse or ex-spouse. Benefits paid to a divorced spouse who is over 60 will have no impact on benefit rates paid to other survivors.

GE 50291 (06/09)

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