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