My boyfriend of 12 years doesn't want to marry me because he claims he will make more in social security payments as a single person. Is this factual or an avoidance tactic?

Hi. Well, it could be true depending on the type of benefit he receives. Getting married would have no adverse affect on any Social Security benefit that your boyfriend receives that's based on his own work history, but if he collects benefits on a the Social Security record of a parent or former spouse then getting married could cause his benefits to stop. Certain types of auxiliary and survivor benefits (e.g. disabled adult child, divorced spouse) require you to be unmarried in order to qualify for the benefits.

Or, if your boyfriend receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), then getting married could cause those benefits to stop or be reduced. SSI is a needs based benefit, so if a person is married then their spouse's income and resources can potentially make them ineligible for SSI payments.

Best, Jerry