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

Terri (not verified)

My fiancee receives SSDI. I

My fiancee receives SSDI. I am still working making a good living. Will his income be affected by my earnings?

Tue, 01/16/2018 - 23:50 Permalink
Belinda (not verified)

I am on SSD and I became

I am on SSD and I became disabled in 2005. My fiance wants to marry me. He is on retirement from the school district of Texas. He receives a small SSI check. How will getting married affect my SSD?

Fri, 01/19/2018 - 09:36 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Belinda (not verified)

Hi Belinda,

Hi Belinda,
If his benefits are not based on income, then you should have no change in benefits.

Mon, 01/22/2018 - 09:17 Permalink
Anonymous (not verified)

I get ssdi for my son because

I get ssdi for my son because his father gets ssdi. We are thinking about getting married..will my son's payment stop if we Do? I work full time..

Fri, 01/19/2018 - 19:19 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
It may not change if your get married if your child stays otherwise eligible for those benefits.

Mon, 01/22/2018 - 09:30 Permalink
Howard (not verified)

My wife receives disability

My wife receives disability SSD. Her SSD is based off of her work credit hours. Once I become eligible for Social Security will her SSD change ? will she be eligible for additional income under my work credit hrs social-security.

Sat, 01/20/2018 - 14:11 Permalink
Kimberly (not verified)

I am currently getting SSI n

I am currently getting SSI n SSA.my divorce will be final on March 5 2018.im an planning on getting married again in February 2019 so how will this affect my benefits.ive been on this since 2004

Sun, 01/21/2018 - 14:37 Permalink
Francis Marie Turner (not verified)

I'm 60 yrs old ,

I'm 60 yrs old , receives ssdi under a deceased spouse earnings..I am planning on remarrying, How will that effect my benefits? Will I be able to start drawing under my own earning record?

Tue, 01/23/2018 - 10:22 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Francis Marie Turner (not verified)

Hi Francis,

Hi Francis,
You may be able to mantain benefits after remarriage, it may be a good idea to contact the SSA regarding this.

Wed, 01/24/2018 - 15:30 Permalink
Debbie Miller (not verified)

I'm almost 58yrsold I

I'm almost 58yrsold I draw disability on my desesd ex husband. If I were to get married would it change my disability pay. My partner draws his ss he is 67.

Tue, 01/23/2018 - 23:12 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Debbie Miller (not verified)

Hi Debbie,

Hi Debbie,

If you receive benefits as a widow, divorced widow, widower, or divorced widower — You cannot get benefits if you remarry before age 60.

Wed, 01/24/2018 - 09:30 Permalink
Patricia futrell (not verified)

Some 0ne need t0 look in to

Some 0ne need t0 look in to this , I got approved but can't it because he make to much . I am the one with the disability not my husband

Wed, 01/24/2018 - 14:14 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Patricia futrell (not verified)

Hi Patrica,

Hi Patrica,
If you're receiving SSI benefits, then the SSA takes your household income into account when determining benefit eligibility.

Wed, 01/24/2018 - 15:57 Permalink
Jonathon (not verified)

I recieve ssi.. my fiance

I recieve ssi.. my fiance gets part of her ssdi from herself n part from her mother.. we wish to marry because we cannot get the law to remove her rights abusing mother from conservator guardianship and payeeship.. i get the full750 ssi she gets 550 or so from her own past work for ssdi.. how much would we get married?

Wed, 01/24/2018 - 17:17 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Jonathon (not verified)

Hi There,

Hi There,

I really can't say for sure, your SSI however may be reduced when you get married. If you have specific questions regarding your case, you may want to speak with a SSA representative.

Thu, 01/25/2018 - 09:19 Permalink
sandy (not verified)

if someone gets married and

if someone gets married and one gets SSI and the other gets SSDI would they be able to get married and not loose anything from their checks?

Thu, 01/25/2018 - 20:14 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by sandy (not verified)

Hi Sandy,

Hi Sandy,

The one on SSDI benefits will not be affected, however the one on SSI benefits may be affected.

Fri, 01/26/2018 - 09:07 Permalink
sue (not verified)

my future husband is on ssdi.

my future husband is on ssdi. I am collecting ssi and working. if I get married will I lose ssi and if so will I be able to apply for ssi again in case something ever happened to him, divorce, death, etc.

Sat, 01/27/2018 - 21:22 Permalink
Cindy (not verified)

Hi I been receiving ssdi.

Hi I been receiving ssdi. Since March i am married but when I had it my husband didn't live with me till mid July . my question is am I getting my ssdi terminated?

Tue, 01/30/2018 - 13:37 Permalink
Krystal (not verified)

So if my spouse is currently

So if my spouse is currently receiving ssdi on his dads account who passed away, if we get married can he automatically get his own ssdi?

Tue, 01/30/2018 - 14:49 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Krystal (not verified)

Hi Krystal,

Hi Krystal,

He can get SSDI on his own record if he has a disabling condition that keeps him from working. However, his SSDI from his father will not be affected when you get married.

Wed, 01/31/2018 - 09:34 Permalink
TammyT (not verified)

I was wondering with me being

I was wondering with me being 52 years old and cannot work anymore due to bad arthritis and cannot get disability or ssi because I do not have enough work credits can I draw it under my husband?

Tue, 01/30/2018 - 17:17 Permalink
Chrissy (not verified)

im still confused. My

im still confused. My significant other is receiving SSID, if we get married how does it effect us. Will he have to reapply to it.

Tue, 01/30/2018 - 22:24 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Chrissy (not verified)

Hi Chrissy,

Hi Chrissy,

If your significant other is receiving SSDI, then getting married will not affect his benefits.

Wed, 01/31/2018 - 09:35 Permalink
Cindy (not verified)

I had and brain aneurysm I am

I had and brain aneurysm I am on SSDI from my work history after 30 years.
If I choose to get married to someone that is still working I'm paying in Social Security.
He is only 60 after he works six six or more years am I entitled to part of his check.
Or will my SSDI stay the same.

Wed, 01/31/2018 - 14:19 Permalink
Rebecca (not verified)

Hi if im on ssi and my

Hi if im on ssi and my boyfriend has a job and he makes 1400 a month if that will my check get taken if we got married

Wed, 01/31/2018 - 15:55 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Rebecca (not verified)

Hi Rebecca,

Hi Rebecca,

Your SSI benefits may be reduced if you get married because they will consider your spouse's income as apart of your own too.

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 09:19 Permalink
nessa (not verified)

hi i am getting married and i

hi i am getting married and i get ssi and he works will it stop my money bc my ssi is what pays for our rent here.

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 13:30 Permalink
Michael (not verified)

Can SSA cut your benefits

Can SSA cut your benefits without letting you know?

Thu, 02/01/2018 - 20:26 Permalink
Eric

In reply to by Michael (not verified)

Hi Michael,

Hi Michael,

No, if they determine that you no longer qualify for a disabling condition, the SSA will send you a letter terminating your benefits.

Fri, 02/02/2018 - 09:15 Permalink
Erika (not verified)

Hi I receive ssa I only get a

Hi I receive ssa I only get a check on the third my boyfriend works Will I lose my benefits if I get married

Fri, 02/02/2018 - 15:25 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Erika (not verified)

Hi Erika,

Hi Erika,
If you're receiving SSI benefits, your eligibility may change as the SSA determines eligibility for married people based on their household income.

Tue, 02/06/2018 - 16:36 Permalink
Theresa (not verified)

I am currently 50 and

I am currently 50 and receiving SSDI with my mother as payee rep. If I do get married (male friend is on SSDI as well) will that affect our benefits to what extent?

Fri, 02/02/2018 - 16:59 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Theresa (not verified)

HI Theresa,

HI Theresa,
It may not affect you if you are both receiving benefits based on your respective work records.

Tue, 02/06/2018 - 16:37 Permalink
Candy philbin (not verified)

Hello I have a PFA on ex

Hello I have a PFA on ex spouse, and live with a man for 7 months who is supporting my children. He can claim my children on his income tax return correct? No one else will claim them, my es spouse and I been separated almost a year n will be getting a divorce and kids father never claimed them, he is incarcerated, and don’t even pay child support.

Sun, 02/04/2018 - 07:11 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by Candy philbin (not verified)

HI Candy,

HI Candy,
I could not say, as we are not tax experts and I am not confident I could give you useful advice on your taxes for that reason.

Tue, 02/06/2018 - 17:02 Permalink
alice tidwell (not verified)

when filing taxes do I have

when filing taxes do I have to pay taxes on all my back pay im married do I have to file with my spouse I receive ssdi and surviors disability from my deciced husband because of his income and what I got for back pay it is showing we owe 9.ooo dollars do we have to pay taxes on all my back pay

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 14:39 Permalink
Bryan

In reply to by alice tidwell (not verified)

Hi there,

Hi there,
We're not tax experts, however you may want to file amended returns for the years that your backpay covers.

Wed, 02/07/2018 - 14:42 Permalink
Karen Tyle (not verified)

Hi,my sister has SSDI in

Hi,my sister has SSDI in Alexandria,Virginia and would like to marry her partner of twenty years. He still works but is now 65,if they marry would it affect her benefit and medicare?

Thu, 02/08/2018 - 16:17 Permalink

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