How Will Marriage Affect My Disability Benefits?

Submitted by Daniel on

Last week, we wrote a blog post answering a question that was sent to us through Facebook. We received some great feedback and readers have suggested that they’d like us to make this a regular thing. Please feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comment section below. Tell us what questions you’d like us to answer next week! Today’s question is:

Question: How will marriage affect my disability benefits?

Getting married may affect your disability benefits in a variety of ways. This is largely dependent on what type of benefits you receive—Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

If you receive SSI benefits, you likely already know that eligibility is determined based on your income and financial resources. Once you get married, the SSA will “deem” a portion of your spouse’s income to your record. Essentially, this means that they will consider your future husband or wife’s income to be your income as well. This may significantly reduce your monthly payment or even cause the SSA to terminate your benefits altogether.

It is important to note that, if you live with your significant other but are not yet married, the SSA may still decide to deem some of your partner’s income to your record.

If you receive SSDI on your own earnings record, getting married will have no impact on your benefits—no matter how much money your future spouse earns. If you receive SSDI based on someone else’s earnings record, your benefits could be affected in the following ways:

  • If you receive SSDI benefits under an eligible parent’s record, getting married will cause your benefits to be terminated. The only time benefits will not be terminated in this circumstance is if you are marrying another disabled adult child.
  • If you are currently receiving SSDI benefits on the work record of an ex-spouse, your benefits will be terminated if you remarry. This also applies to individuals who receive SSDI on the record of a deceased ex-spouse who remarry before age 50 if disabled, and before age 60 if not disabled.

Before you make any decisions regarding marriage or disability benefits, you should always consult with an SSA representative. That way, you can avoid unknowingly compromising your benefits. Please feel free to leave additional questions or comments in the section below and we will try our best to answer each of your questions.

Submitted By: Molly Clarke

Blog comments

nicole (not verified)

if one is on ssi and the

if one is on ssi and the other one is working and under the age of 40 could they still get married

Thu, 11/09/2017 - 18:46 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by nicole (not verified)

Yes, they can still get

Yes, they can still get married but the person on SSI benefits will be reduced or taken away all together because the SSA counts spouses income as well.

Fri, 11/10/2017 - 15:13 Permalink
Rebecca Gonzales (not verified)

I'm 51 and disabled had

I'm 51 and disabled had a stroke in 2005 ,with 2 broken disc t level 8 compress nerves not able to be operated on. Wanting to remarry was told that it wouldn't hurt my disability but I'm scared that it could take my Medicaid away from me. my medications are very expensive. need some answers please

Sat, 11/11/2017 - 14:27 Permalink
Dolly (not verified)

Hi

Hi
i received monthly social aid from the security social as am suffering from a chronic disease. Therefore i just wanted to know if i get married will my pension will be terminated or will remain the same after marriage.

Sun, 11/12/2017 - 06:23 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Dolly (not verified)

Hi Dolly,

Hi Dolly,

If you are on SSD, it won't but if you are on SSI it could.

Mon, 11/13/2017 - 09:23 Permalink
Dean (not verified)

I am collecting SSI and am

I am collecting SSI and am quite ill. I am trying to figure out how to marry my fiancé and not lose my benefits. However, there is an additional problem; she lives in Poland. She would have to get a spousal visa and I am wondering how that would be possible as I don't meet the financial requirements? Would I have to find a sponsor for her?

Mon, 11/13/2017 - 08:48 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Dean (not verified)

Hi Dean,

Hi Dean,

If you are on SSI and get married, it will be reduced because they take into consideration your future spouse's income as apart of yours. I am unable to answer the second half of your question accurately though.

Wishing you nothing but the best.

Mon, 11/13/2017 - 09:27 Permalink
Shante (not verified)

My fiancé gets ssi and ssdi

My fiancé gets ssi and ssdi can we get marriec without messing with his benefits???

Sat, 11/18/2017 - 23:25 Permalink
Glenda (not verified)

I'm on SSA and my

I'm on SSA and my boyfriend is a Veteran. If we marry, what will it do to my SSA?

Tue, 11/21/2017 - 17:56 Permalink
Mary (not verified)

I receive disability checks

I receive disability checks every month and so does my boyfriend, if we we'really to get married will we lose our benefits? We are both in our 40'S. Thanks

Tue, 11/21/2017 - 18:44 Permalink
Trevor E (not verified)

I have SSD. if I get married.

I have SSD. if I get married. will my amount go down?

Tue, 11/21/2017 - 21:01 Permalink
Sandydee51 (not verified)

I'm a 51 year old woman

I'm a 51 year old woman was married 23 years we both are disabled, he passed away and I receive widows benefits I'm considering remarring if I remarry I know I won't get widows benefits but will I still get my regular SSI back since I'm disabled

Fri, 11/24/2017 - 11:49 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Sandydee51 (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You may be eligible for SSI benefits if you are under the income and resource limits for SSI benefits.

Mon, 11/27/2017 - 10:28 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

My husband and I have been

My husband and I have been separated 3 years I get disability if he is not working does he get part of my Disability it's based on my on income

Wed, 11/29/2017 - 06:55 Permalink
Jann (not verified)

I was married 25 years and

I was married 25 years and now divorced. 15 years of that marriage I was a stay at home mom and was not paying into SS. I've been disabled from working for 2 years and waiting my approval for SS Disability. How will my monthly ant be calculated? Will that factor in my 25 years of marriage to my exhusband? I am single and he is 65 and I am 57. Thank you.

Thu, 11/30/2017 - 10:12 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jann (not verified)

Hi Jann,

Hi Jann,
It would be calculated based on your lifetime payments into Social Security through payroll taxes. Your ex's work record may be used in place of your own if you would be eligible for more money with benefits based off of his work record .

Thu, 11/30/2017 - 15:16 Permalink
Lydia (not verified)

Hi I'm 23 my boyfriend

Hi I'm 23 my boyfriend is a vet and I've been living with my mom all my life. Me and my brother both get SSDI and I'm afraid to leave and get married in fear she won't be able to live on one check. I just want to know what might happen if I did leave.

Thu, 11/30/2017 - 10:29 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Lydia (not verified)

Hi Lydia,

Hi Lydia,
You may become ineligible for disability benefits based off of your mother's work record if you get married.

Thu, 11/30/2017 - 15:16 Permalink
Tony (not verified)

my wife is on ssdi and

my wife is on ssdi and medicaid, will she lose her benefits if I get a job above the poverty level ?

Thu, 11/30/2017 - 19:45 Permalink
Julie (not verified)

My SSI hasnt started yet I

My SSI hasnt started yet I was wondering will I still receive my back pay if I get married before I receive it??

Sat, 12/02/2017 - 09:33 Permalink
Jana (not verified)

I receive ssdi and widows

I receive ssdi and widows benefit 62 yrs old. Will my benefits change with marriage? Partner is 71 and gets a pension and ss. Also, his pension is based on a single person. Can he keep that the same.?

Tue, 12/05/2017 - 13:09 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Jana (not verified)

Hi Jana,

Hi Jana,
You may still be eligible for your widow's benefit after marriage, but you may want to reach out to the administrator of your partner's pension to determine if his pension would change due to marriage.

Wed, 12/06/2017 - 16:55 Permalink
Lorrie (not verified)

I was married 7 months before

I was married 7 months before I filed for divorce, my soon to be ex draws a SSI check. I have 3 children. He left me a voicemail today saying to call him, it's about SSI and my kids. What could he need to tell me regarding MY children and his SSI? I hope he's not trying to take my tax check!

Thu, 12/07/2017 - 05:27 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Lorrie (not verified)

Hi Lorrie,

Hi Lorrie,
If he's receiving benefits based off of his work record, your children may be eligible for benefits from that. However, I really could not say what he would need to tell you regarding his SSI.

Thu, 12/07/2017 - 11:25 Permalink
Corsandra (not verified)

Hi I get SSI benefits each

Hi I get SSI benefits each month uf I was to get married will it mess with my monthly chevks

Fri, 12/08/2017 - 02:18 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by Corsandra (not verified)

Yes if your spouse is working

Yes if your spouse is working--if he or she is earning more than $1,100 per month you won't be eligible for SSI benefits anymore.

Fri, 12/08/2017 - 08:34 Permalink
Jerry (not verified)

if I got married in foreign

if I got married in foreign country and she stayed there, how would this affect my social security, my medicare, and my part D? (Considering she has no finances to share with me), I would only be helping her sometimes. And interested too, if I got her immigrated here, both not working then later working.

Sat, 12/09/2017 - 06:41 Permalink
Ashley704 (not verified)

Hi my bf has SSI and I'm

Hi my bf has SSI and I'm waiting to get mine would he loose his if we got married even if I'm not able to work

Sun, 12/10/2017 - 14:19 Permalink
tae (not verified)

My boyfriend gets ssi and

My boyfriend gets ssi and ssdi and we want get married.we been together for 23 years now.

Mon, 12/11/2017 - 09:43 Permalink
cdb1988 (not verified)

Hello,

Hello,
If I marry military while I am on SSD only, will he be negatively affected or benefit? I also just had all of my student loans discharged because of permanent disability. I'm concerned about cancellation of debt affecting me and possible future mate. Please advise. Thank you.

Tue, 12/12/2017 - 15:38 Permalink
Deanna

In reply to by cdb1988 (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
You will not be affected at all if you are on SSDI, which is paid to people who worked before becoming disabled.

Wed, 12/13/2017 - 08:33 Permalink
David (not verified)

Hello i’m married and my wife

Hello i’m married and my wife disablilty mentel helth,if I get work,or work part time ,her benefits stop

Wed, 12/13/2017 - 14:14 Permalink
Vckie (not verified)

Hi me. My husband b seprated

Hi me. My husband b seprated from some While now.if we get BK together will I lose my SSDI check?

Wed, 12/13/2017 - 17:31 Permalink
Sarah (not verified)

I get ssdi my fiance is not

I get ssdi my fiance is not working yet how would that effect my benefits
Thanks

Fri, 12/15/2017 - 02:53 Permalink
Diane (not verified)

I would like to know the if

I would like to know the if my boyfriend will loose his ssi if we become common law married.

Sun, 12/17/2017 - 00:20 Permalink

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