How Remarriage Effects Your Social Security Benefit

How Remarriage Can Affect Your Social Security Options

The rules for claiming Social Security benefits can be complex, especially when remarriage is involved. The age at which you remarry is a critical factor that can significantly alter the benefits available to you, particularly if you are a widow, widower, or divorced spouse.

The Magic Number: Age 60

For surviving spouses and divorced surviving spouses, the age of 60 is a key threshold. Remarrying before age 60 will generally make you ineligible to claim survivor benefits on your deceased ex-spouse’s record. However, if you remarry at or after age 60, you retain the right to claim survivor benefits from your deceased former spouse.

Understanding Your Options as a Widow(er)

If you are a widow or widower, you can start receiving survivor benefits as early as age 60. However, it’s crucial to understand that claiming any benefit before your full retirement age (which is 67 for those born in 1960 or later) will result in a permanent reduction of that benefit. For example, claiming at age 60 results in only receiving 71.5% of the full benefit amount.

If you remarry after age 60, you have a valuable choice: you can claim a survivor benefit from your deceased spouse, or you can claim a spousal benefit from your new spouse (if they are receiving benefits), or you can claim your own retirement benefit. You can choose whichever benefit is highest.

A Note for Divorced Spouses

The rules are slightly different if you are divorced and your ex-spouse is still living. In this case, you cannot claim a spousal benefit on their record if you have remarried. However, if you are a divorced surviving spouse, the rules for widow(er)s generally apply: if you remarried after age 60, you can still claim a survivor benefit on your deceased ex-spouse’s record.

Making an Informed Decision

The decision of when and how to claim Social Security is one of the most important financial choices you will make in retirement. The rules are complex, and a wrong move can be costly. It is essential to get good advice before making any decisions, especially if your situation involves a prior marriage.

Understanding how these benefits work is a key part of your overall financial and retirement planning. If you have questions about how to integrate your Social Security strategy into your overall estate planning, our attorneys can help. Call our office at (919) 256-7000 to schedule a consultation.