Be Careful Before You Say “I Do” Again

Social Security Benefits and Remarriage

Social Security benefits are based upon the amount you earned during your lifetime. In order to be eligible for a benefit, you must pay into the system for at least 10 years. If you are married and do not work enough to qualify for your own benefits, you can receive a benefit based upon the earnings of your spouse as long as you were married for 10 years.

If you and your spouse are divorced, you can still receive benefits based upon his or her record.  To qualify for this benefit, you must have been married for at least 10 years, have not remarried and are at least 62 years old.   If the benefits you would receive based upon your own record are higher than what you would receive based upon your spouse’s record, you would receive that amount only and not be entitled to any benefits based on your ex-spouse.

If your ex-spouse remarries, you can still collect benefits based upon his or her record, even if he or she has not applied for benefits, as long as you meet the requirements above. However, as stated earlier, if the benefits you would receive based upon your own record are higher, you would receive that amount only.

Finally, if your spouse is deceased you can still receive benefits based upon his or her record as long as you do not remarry before age 60, or your remarriage ends through death, divorce or annulment.

So think carefully before saying “I do” a second time; it might cost more than you think down the road!