Although remarriage has no effect on a child's eligibility for benefits, the benefit going directly to the widow (er) terminates if he or she remarries. We find that the median marriage penalty faced by widow (er)s is large (around $4,100 per year). The child-in-care program affects a sizable number of survivors.
What happens to my survivor benefits if I remarry?
Remarrying after turning 60 (50 if disabled) has no effect on survivor benefits. But if you wed before reaching that age, you lose eligibility for survivor benefits on the prior marriage.
How does remarriage affect Social Security benefits for children?
Upon a worker's death, Social Security pays benefits to each minor or disabled child and to the worker's widow (er), provided a child of the worker is in his or her care. Although remarriage has no effect on a child's eligibility for benefits, the benefit going directly to the widow (er) terminates if he or she remarries.
Does remarriage affect child-in-care benefits for widow (er) s?
Although remarriage has no effect on a child's eligibility for benefits, the benefit going directly to the widow (er) terminates if he or she remarries. We find that the median marriage penalty faced by widow (er)s is large (around $4,100 per year). The child-in-care program affects a sizable number of survivors.
Can a surviving divorced spouse get child-in-care benefits?
Surviving divorced spouses are also eligible for child-in-care benefits. Throughout the paper, the term widow (er) is meant to include surviving divorced spouses. Also, a child-in-care widow (er) benefit terminates upon remarriage, but it can be restored if the marriage ends.
Can you remarry and still receive survivor benefits?
The current law requires that the widow be unmarried in order to claim widow benefits, unless the marriage occurred after the widow attained age 60. That is, a widow who remarries before age 60 has no claim to the widow benefits (so long as the remarriage remains intact) and therefore faces a marriage penalty.
Will getting married affect my child's SSI?
If you and your spouse both get SSI, your benefit amount will change from an individual rate to a couple's rate.
Can survivor benefits be taken away?
If you work while getting Social Security survivors benefits and are younger than full retirement age, we may reduce your benefits if your earnings exceed certain limits. The full retirement age for survivors is 66 for people born in 1945-1956.
Will remarriage affect my Social Security benefits?
Social Security has no marriage penalty. The monthly retirement payments that you and your prospective spouse get are calculated separately, based on your individual earnings histories, and they don't change when you tie the knot, whether it's your first, second or fifth time.
How long do survivor benefits last for a child?
Generally, benefits for surviving children stop when a child turns 18. Benefits can continue until as late as age 19 and 2 months if the child is a full-time student in elementary or secondary education or with no age limit if the child became disabled before age 22.
Do you have to report marriage to Social Security?
Change of Marital Status - Marriage, divorce, and annulment of marriage. You must report marriage even if you believe that an exception applies. You return to work (as an employee or self- employed) regardless of amount of earnings.
Does my income affect my child's survivor benefits?
If a child is not living in the home of his/her parent(s), then the parent(s) income is not used to compute the child's monthly benefit. So, if you are the child's relative or guardian, your income will not affect the amount of SSI that the child will receive.
How long do you have to be married to receive survivor benefits?
nine monthsIn most cases, a widow or widower qualifies for survivor benefits if he or she is at least 60 and had been married to the deceased for at least nine months at the time of death.
What can you spend Social Security child survivor benefits on?
What Can You Spend Social Security Child Survivor Benefits On?Basic needs such as food, water, and housing.Medical costs including the child's portion of a deductible or insurance payment.Recreational activities, for example if the child is enrolled in sports.More items...
What is a second wife entitled to?
Your second spouse typically will be able to claim one-third to one-half of the assets covered by your will, even if it says something else. Joint bank or brokerage accounts held with a child will go to that child. Your IRA will go to whomever you've named on the IRA's beneficiary form, leaving your new spouse out.