When a survivor of a deceased Social Security beneficiary remarries, the impact on their survivor benefits depends on the type of benefits they receive and their age at the time of remarriage:
- Survivor Benefits for Widows and Widowers: Generally, if you remarry before you reach the age of 60 (or 50 if you are disabled), you cannot continue to receive survivor benefits based on your deceased spouse’s Social Security record. However, if you remarry after you reach the age of 60 (or 50 if disabled), you can continue to qualify for benefits on your deceased spouse’s Social Security record.
- Survivor Benefits for Children: Remarriage of the surviving parent does not affect the survivor benefits that children receive. Children can continue to receive benefits until they reach age 18 (or 19 if they are still in high school full time), or longer if they are disabled and the disability occurred before age 22.
- Surviving Divorced Spouses: If you are receiving benefits as a surviving divorced spouse, remarriage before age 60 (or 50 if disabled) will generally mean you lose eligibility for survivor benefits on your former spouse’s record. After reaching age 60 (or 50 if disabled), remarriage won’t affect your eligibility for survivor benefits based on your former spouse’s record.
If you’re considering remarriage and are currently receiving survivor benefits, or if the situation is complex, it might be helpful to contact the Social Security Administration directly or consult with a financial advisor to understand how your benefits would be affected based on your specific circumstances.
-Thanh Thuỷ-