Many legal and financial changes come with getting married. But does getting married affect your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits? Depending on how you became eligible for SSDI benefits, it may.
Will Marriage Affect Your SSDI Benefits?
“Will I lose my SSDI if I get married?” is a common question and one you should ask. Losing these Social Security benefits can significantly impact your finances, and it’s essential to have as much information as possible when making big life decisions.
The good news is that, according to the Social Security Administration, your Social Security disability benefits will remain the same if you marry. However, that simple answer doesn’t tell the whole story because you could have become eligible for these benefits in a few different ways.
You can receive SSDI benefits based on your own work records or the records of your deceased spouse, parent, or divorced spouse. Depending on which of these scenarios applies to you, you may lose your benefits.
When Collecting SSDI Benefits on Your Own Work Records
To qualify for SSDI benefits based on your own work records, you must have enough Social Security work credits. The SSA states that in 2024, you earn one credit for each $1,730 you make, up to a maximum of four credits per year.
For SSDI, you must have 40 credits, 20 of which you earned within the last ten years leading up to your disability. As long as the SSA acknowledges your disability and you have the required credits, marriage will not change your benefits if you qualify based on your own work records.
When Collecting SSDI Benefits on Someone Else’s Records
If you receive your benefits based on someone else’s work records, getting married could have an impact. The benefits provided to these three groups of people could be affected if they marry:
- Widows/Widowers – The SSDI benefits you received from a deceased spouse’s work records may stop if you remarry. If you are disabled and remarry before age 50, or if you are not disabled and remarry before age 60, your SSDI benefits from your deceased spouse will stop.
- Disabled Child – If you were disabled before age 22 and received your SSDI benefits based on the work record of one of your parents, your benefits may stop if you get married. This is because you are no longer dependent on the parent from whom you received your benefits but are instead dependent on your spouse.
- Divorced Spouse – To receive SSDI benefits from an ex-spouse, you must be 62 or older and unmarried. You also must have been married to your ex-spouse for at least ten years. Getting remarried will stop you from receiving your divorced spouse’s benefits. However, if your later marriage ends in annulment, divorce, or death, you may become eligible to receive benefits again.
Contact Our Social Security Disability Attorneys for Guidance
Anyone who has had to go through the process of qualifying for SSDI benefits knows how complicated the Social Security system can be. If you’re concerned about losing your benefits due to the rules surrounding disability and marriage, contact Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons for a free consultation.
One of our experienced Social Security attorneys will evaluate your case and guide you through your legal options. Don’t resign yourself to letting the SSA take away your benefits without first understanding your rights.
We are Ryan Bisher Ryan & Simons, a legal firm that, for decades, has been fighting for the rights of hardworking Oklahoma residents. Our mission is to hold the powerful accountable.
