Getting Married? Social Security May Need to Know

The date is set, the invitations have been sent out,• If you were disabled before age 22 and are
and you've picked out the cake together. However,receiving benefits on a Social Security record of a
if you are about to walk down the aisle to say "I do"parent or grandparent, report your marriage. Unless if
to your loved one, you should look into if you alsoyou marry someone who is receiving certain types
have to report your marriage to the Social Securityof SSDI benefits, your payments will end. The
Administration.payments cannot be started again unless if you
If you are currently receiving Social Security Disabilitydivorce your spouse.
(SSDI) benefits, you may need to report that you• If you are a child of someone who is receiving
are married. The following are how marriage maydisability benefits, report your marriage immediately.
affect your benefits:Benefits end when the child marries.
• If you are receiving disability benefits on yourRemember that these benefits are based on one
own record, you have nothing to worry about.individual and their ability to work. If both husband
Payments will continue as scheduled and you also doand wife receive Social Security Disability, neither one
not need to report your marriage. If you arecan affect each other's benefits they receive.
changing your name, make sure that you do reportBefore the big wedding day, make sure to schedule
that so your new moniker will appear on checks.an appointment at your local Social Security office
• If you are a disabled widow or widower, you willand bring along your significant other. It would not
need to report a name change. Your payments willhurt to discuss any current benefits one (or both) of
continue. Also, if your current spouse dies, you couldyou receives and how a marriage might affect it. This
receive higher benefits based on his or her workmight even be something important to discuss before
record.you decide on getting engaged.