Getting married after social security benefits begin

Every person can earn their own independent Social Security benefit based on their lifetime earnings, so if you did enough work to be eligible for your own benefit then your benefit should be calculated independently of your future spouse's benefit. Couples shouldn't be penalized simply because they are married.

If you were previously married, then it gets a little more complex:

1) If you are currently unmarried AND over 62 AND were married for 10 years, then you can collect benefits on your ex-spouse's record starting at age 62, provided that your spouse is also collecting benefits at that point.

2) If you remarry before age 60, then option 1 above isn't available unless your subsequent marriage ends, whether by death, divorce, or annulment.

3) If you are getting married after 60, then you should have 3 choices
a) collect your own benefit
b) collect your previous spouses benefit (option 1 above)
c) collect benefits on your current spouse's record, if they are higher.

Note: These rules are complicated and the SSA may change their guidelines, so you should check with your Social Security office.