What Can Go Wrong: Common Remarriage Mistakes Seniors Make
Failing to understand social security remarriage rules can cost you thousands of dollars in lost income or result in unexpected repayment demands from the federal government. Here are four widespread mistakes retirees make when remarrying:
- Remarrying Shortly Before Age 60: Walking down the aisle just months or weeks before your 60th birthday forfeits your lifetime rights to a deceased spouse’s survivor benefit. Waiting until your 60th birthday protects that income stream for the rest of your life.
- Failing to Notify the SSA Promptly: If you collect living divorced spousal benefits and fail to report your new marriage, the SSA will eventually detect the status change through tax records. When they do, they will demand full repayment of all overpaid benefits—a surprise debt that can total tens of thousands of dollars.
- Assuming You Can “Double-Dip”: Some retirees believe they can collect a full personal retirement benefit plus a full spousal benefit from their new partner. The SSA applies strict deemed filing provisions; you only receive an amount equal to the higher of the two benefits, not both combined.
- Overlooking Tax Thresholds on Combined Income: Remarrying shifts your federal tax filing status from Single to Married Filing Jointly (or Married Filing Separately). According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), if your combined household income—including half of your combined Social Security benefits plus other retirement income—exceeds $32,000 for married couples, up to 50% of your benefits become subject to federal income tax. If combined income exceeds $44,000, up to 85% of your benefits become taxable. Combining households can unintentionally push your income into these higher tax brackets.
If I Remarriage and my spouse get a SSI check can we live together and still get a check
That would be “If I remarry,” not “If I remarriage.” If you get your check based on your own income, no problem. If it is based on your ex-spouse’s income, it’s a big problem in most cases. It only counts whether you are remarried or not. It doesn’t matter whether or not you live together.
I was married 20yrs, divorced then several yrs later remarried & divorced within the same year. Will that affect me drawing from my prior husbands SS? Does the prior ex-spouse have to be retirement age for me to draw on his SS? I am 4 yrs older than him.
I’m retired my wife be retiring i. 2 years she will receive her ssi i will receive mine correct
No. I found out the hard way
If you collect railroad retirement, you do not get a social security survivor benefit. Do you?
Divorced after 11 years of marriage. Now living with a partner for 42 years. If we Marry will I lose my Social security from my first Marriage ? What will my social be if she passes.
What if you married but not together how does that work
My husband passed away and i get his ss if i get married do i lose that
My wife died two years ago. I claimed her social security since it’s greater than my social security benefit. My question is if I remained but my future wife doesn’t received Social security at all, if I die will she be entitled to my social security benefit?