I am now receiving Social Security disability. I am 60. I am wondering if I get married to my boyfriend how this affects my disability and also he is 63, he is still employed. I was wondering if I could collect a higher amount if his disability amount is higher then mine can I apply for some of his benefit money.

Hi,

Marriage would not affect your Social Security disability benefits. It could affect Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, however, which are needs based benefits administered by the Social Security Administration.

You can't qualify for a spousal benefit until you are age 62 at the earliest, and you must be married for at least one year before you become potentially eligible. Also, you would only be eligible for an excess spousal benefit, if his disability amount is more than twice as much as yours. If it is, and if you wait until full retirement age (FRA) to start, you would end up receiving a total benefit equal to half of his. If you start receiving spousal benefits prior FRA, they will be reduced.

Best, Jerry