Half of America should take note: Pay attention, SSA is strict if you change this in your life

Getting married is an important step, but many don't know: United States Social Security is strict with certain changes and this could affect your benefits. It's clear what happens if you get married, which benefits are affected, in which cases you shouldn't worry, and how to get information. This is important information that everyone should know, so be very careful when changing your marital status.

United States SSA Makes Clear What Happens When You Get Married: Affected Benefits

SSA has been clear: if you get married, your situation with Social Security changes in several ways. The most relevant thing is that your retirement or disability benefit doesn't decrease if you get married. However, there are other types of benefits that could be affected, especially programs like SSI, survivor benefits, divorced spouse, or child benefits.

If your partner isn't eligible for SSI and lives with you, their income and resources are considered yours. This can reduce or even eliminate your benefit. If you're a widower and remarry before a certain age, you could lose the right to receive benefits from your deceased spouse.

For the divorced spouse, if you receive benefits based on your ex's record and you remarry, you'll lose those benefits. As for benefits for disabled adult children, these also usually end if the beneficiary gets married, except in rare cases.

SSA Cases Where You Shouldn't Worry

If you only receive retirement or disability benefits, getting married doesn't affect the amount you receive. That part of your benefit remains the same. Also, SSA treats you as single until the first day of the month following your wedding, so immediate changes don't apply until the next month.

Many believe that marriage only brings advantages, but in some cases there can be an opposite effect; it can reduce SSI, survivor, or dependent benefits. Imagine planning your future and suddenly losing that extra help for not having reported in time. Be very careful: especially if one of the spouses depends on Social Security to cover basic needs.

How To Contact SSA: It's This Easy

You must report important changes to SSA as soon as possible, ideally before the 10th day of the month following the change. You can do so by phone: 1‑800‑772‑1213 (TTY 1‑800‑325‑0778), Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 7 PM.

In addition, look for your nearest office through the SSA website. With the "my Social Security" account, you can notify changes like marriage, address, or work online. This is key, since resolving questions quickly can prevent you from being overpaid or losing benefits.