Can Marriage Affect Your Social Security Disability Benefits?
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Getting married is a major life event, and if you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (“SSDI”), it is natural for you to wonder how it may affect your benefits. The good news is that if you are collecting SSDI based on your own work history, marriage will not change that. However, if your eligibility is tied to someone else’s record, such as that of a spouse, ex-spouse or parent, then marriage can lead to a change or even a loss in benefits.
Let us break down when marriage matters in this context and when it does not, depending on the type of benefits you receive.
When You Are Receiving SSDI Based on Your Work Record
The SSDI benefits tied directly to your work record and your medical disability status remain unaffected by marriage.
To qualify for SSDI, you must have paid into Social Security and accumulated enough work credits, typically 40, with 20 earned in the last 10 years before becoming disabled. Once approved, your benefits are secure as long as your medical condition continues to meet the Social Security Administration's (SSA) definition of disability.
When SSDI Benefits Are Tied to Someone Else’s Record
Things get complicated when you receive benefits through a spouse, ex-spouse or a parent. In these cases, marriage or remarriage can trigger changes.
For instance, if you are receiving survivor benefits based on your deceased spouse’s work record, remarriage can end those payments. If you are disabled and remarry before turning 50, or if you are not disabled and remarry before age 60, you typically lose eligibility for SSDI survivor benefits. However, if you remarry after age 50 (if disabled) or 60 (if not disabled), you can keep receiving those benefits.
If you were married to your ex-spouse for at least 10 years and are now at least 62 years old, you may qualify for SSDI benefits based on their work record, as long as you remain unmarried. Remarrying at any age disqualifies you from receiving divorced spouse’s benefits. If that new marriage ends, though by divorce, annulment or death, you may become eligible again.
Adults who became disabled before age 22 can receive SSDI benefits based on a parent’s work record. These benefits typically end if the adult child gets married, unless they marry another adult who also receives SSDI due to disability. In such unique cases, benefits may continue.
SSDI Benefits for Children & Dependents
Dependent children can qualify for SSDI payments if a parent is disabled and eligible for benefits. These benefits generally continue until the child turns 18 or 19 if they are still in high school. However, once a child receiving SSDI as a dependent gets married, the benefits stop.
In contrast, if a parent has died and the child is a survivor under the age of 16 (or disabled), a surviving spouse or ex-spouse who cares for that child may be able to collect benefits regardless of whether they remarry.
Keeping Your Benefits
While marriage may not affect your SSDI benefits if you qualify on your own work record, you are still responsible for reporting life changes to the SSA, including changes to your work status or medical condition.
You need to tell the SSA if you return to work, your medical condition improves, or you are able to work more than before.
Generally, SSDI payments continue as long as your condition prevents substantial work. The SSA will review your case periodically to confirm that you still meet the requirements.
The Bottom Line
Whether or not you will continue to receive your SSDI benefits after marriage depends on how you qualify and what type of SSDI benefits you are receiving.
Before making any significant decision, it is advisable to consult a Social Security representative or legal advisor familiar with disability benefits so that you can plan your future with clarity and peace of mind.