I'm 62 and was married in colorado to my husband for 5 months. We were together for 17 years and considered common law married.
After he passed, I moved to North Carolina.
I called the social security office in Colorado to ask about widow's benefits.
They explained that if I still lived in Colorado, I would be eligible for a widow's benefit. Because I live in North Carolina and they don't recognize common law marriages, they said I am entitled to no benefit.
This doesn't seem right....

I'm 66 and going to get married in September this year will I loss my social security. My husband to be will be 73

Hi,

Assuming that you're receiving Social Security retirement benefits based on your own work record then the answer is no. Nor would getting married have any effect on widow's benefits or survivor benefits on the record of a former husband.

I am divorced, working full time and collecting my SS. I am 73. I would like to remarry. My prospective husband is almost 67, working full time and collecting SS. If we marry, do our SS payments remain the same? We sti9ll plan to work full time for a few years. Thanks, Sharon

Hi Sharon,

I am 64 and receiving my retirement from my employment and social security. My fiance is 69 and receives the same. We would like to know if our income would be cut once we were married. If we were to marry in another state such as Ohio would it be recorded even if I did not change my last name?

Hi,

My Uncles, both in their late 80's, have been life partners since the mid 1980's. They are not married, and have no plans to marry. They both get Social Security checks. They receive about the same, and it adds up to around $30,000 per year. When one of them dies, will the other be eligible for any survivor's benefits? Would it be advisable financially for them to get married?

Hi,

Larry,

I am 74 years of age. I was married for 30+years before I was divorced 5 years ago. I am planing on marrying again to a 66 year old woman later in the year. Is she eligible to claim any spousal benefits when we marry? What happens if I die? Thank you in advance for your help.

Barry Pinsley

Hi Barry,

I have a niece to whom I will be giving your updated book as she and her common law husband of 20+ years are approaching retirement age, and they really really need to read it (I already upgraded!). My question, on their behalf, is whether Social Security recognizes their union as "spousal." I know nothing of their finances but am concerned that by them not having that marriage certificate, they may be in for a rude awakening in the not-too-distant future should something happen to one of them, either through disability or death.

Hi, I'm 40, my daughter's 6 and my boyfriend is 62. He collects retirement and SSI monthly. We have been together for over 3 yrs and are thinking about getting married. If so will his benefits increase or decrease? Thanks, Deeanna