Verified: SSA doesn't beat around the bush, if you change this, keep it in mind

Social Security in the United States has sent a very clear message: If you get married or change your marital status and receive benefits, you must be very alert. According to the SSA, the impact depends on the type of benefit you receive. If you don't notify them, you could lose money or have to pay back payments. 

Many people wonder what happens if you receive disability or retirement based on your own work. If that's your case, your benefit, such as SSDI, doesn't change if you get married or divorced. That is, your personal situation doesn't change what you're entitled to, your number, or the money; everything stays the same.

The Latest From SSA In The United States Clarifies Everything: What Happens To Your Benefits If You Get Married

If you receive a family benefit—for example, as a spouse, widow(er), or caregiver—or if you receive SSI, things change. If you get married and receive benefits as a spouse or survivor, the change can affect your payments. In some cases, your benefit is cut off, and in others, it is reduced or recalculated according to your new spouse.

Regarding SSI, the impact is greater; this benefit considers your spouse's income and assets, even if he or she doesn't receive SSI. When you get married, that amount is counted and can reduce your financial assistance or leave you without benefits. For example, if two people with SSI get married, each one can lose about 25% of what they were receiving.

Take Note Of What The "Marriage Penalty" Is

There is also the "marriage penalty" rule for SSI recipients, who are required to report changes in their marital status. If they don't do so, they may incur overpayments that they must pay back, and in some cases, there are already precedents of people who owe several thousand euros for not reporting in time.

It's also important what happens with survivor benefits. If you are a widow(er) and get married before a certain age—usually 60 years (196.85 ft.), or 50 (164.04 ft.) if you have a disability—you may lose survivor benefits. If you do so after that age, you usually keep them.

This Is How You Can Get Detailed Information: Pay Attention To SSA

SSA explains it clearly: You must get information on their website, open an account on my Social Security, and report any changes. We're talking about marriage, birth, change of income or name, or moving. There are tools and calculators to simulate what impact your new situation would have.

The explanation SSA gives is simple: They calculate your benefit according to your circumstances. If these change—for example, you add a spouse with resources, or you get married before the age limit for widow(er) benefits—the system adjusts the payments. If you don't report, there may be overpayments that you are required to pay back and put yourself at risk.