Question: I just got married and wanted to know what are the requirements to receive Social Security spouse’s benefits?
Answer: Generally, you must be married for one year before you can get spouse’s benefits. However, if you are the parent of your spouse’s child, the one-year rule does not apply. The same is true if you were entitled (or potentially entitled) to certain benefits under Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Act in the month before the month you got married. A divorced spouse must have been married 10 years to get spouse’s benefits.
Question: Can a former spouse get benefits on my Social Security record?
Answer: If you are divorced and your marriage lasted at least 10 years, your former spouse may be able to get benefits based on your record.
Question: What should I do when someone dies?
Answer: Notify Social Security as soon as possible when someone getting benefits dies. In most cases, the funeral director will report the person’s death to Social Security. Give the funeral director the deceased’s Social Security number so he or she can report the death.
Related: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Questions & Answers
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Question: If I marry, will it affect my benefits?
Answer: If you get Social Security disability or retirement benefits and you marry, your benefit will stay the same. Here’s how marriage may affect other benefits:
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- If you marry, your spouse’s income and resources may change your SSI benefit; or
- If you and your spouse both get SSI, your benefit amount will change from an individual rate to a couple’s rate.
Benefits for a widow, divorced widow, widower or divorced widower
- You cannot get benefits if you remarry before age 60; and
- You cannot get benefits if you are disabled and remarry before age 50.
Divorced spouse’s benefits
Generally, your benefits end if you remarry.
Benefits for a child under age 18 or student ages 18 or 19
Benefits end if you marry.
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Question: I would like to have my benefits check deposited between two bank accounts (half and half) can I have that done?
Answer: Currently our system allows direct deposit only to a single account, at a financial institution (e.g. checking account, savings account, or prepaid card account). However, you may preauthorize your financial institution to transfer funds into your other bank accounts.
Question: Does Social Security reimburse bank fees?
Answer: We cannot pay for bank service charges.
Question: Can I change the date I receive my benefits?
Answer: No. If you were receiving or applied for Social Security benefits on or before April 30, 1997, or if you receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you will receive your benefit on the third of the month. If you receive only SSI, you will receive your benefit on the first of the month. If you applied for Social Security benefits after April 30, 1997, the birthday of the person whose record you receive benefits under determines your payment date:
| Date of Birth | Payment Day |
| 1st through 10th | Second Wednesday |
| 11th through 20th | Third Wednesday |
| 21st through 31st | Fourth Wednesday |
Question: What happens if my benefit payment date falls on a weekend or holiday?
Answer: If your regularly scheduled payment date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal public holiday, benefits will be paid the business day before your due date.
Question: I noticed I have a payment missing, how can I report a missing payment?
Answer: If you do not receive your electronic payment on the scheduled pay date, please contact your bank or financial institution first. They may be experiencing a delay in posting your payment. If you still need to report a late, missing, or stolen Social Security payment, call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or contact your local Social Security office. We will review the case and if the payment is due, we will replace it.
Question: Will I be notified by Social Security if it plans to garnish my wages through Administrative Wage Garnishment (AWG)?
Answer: Yes, we will notify you about our plans to use AWG in a 60-day pre-garnishment notice, which may also inform you about the Treasury Offset Program and reporting your debt to credit bureaus, if applicable. The notice will also include your due process rights on AWG.
Question: Can Social Security benefits be garnished for alimony, child support or restitution?
Answer: We can withhold Social Security benefits to enforce your legal obligation to pay child support, alimony or restitution. State laws determine a valid garnishment order. By law, we garnish current and continuing monthly benefits. We do not make retroactive adjustments.
You cannot appeal to Social Security for implementing garnishment orders. If you disagree with the garnishment, contact an attorney or representative where the court issued the order.
Delinquent taxes
The Department of the Treasury can withhold Social Security benefits to collect overdue federal tax debts. It can use:
- A Notice of Levy to collect overdue federal taxes under section 6334(c) of the Internal Revenue Code; or
- The Federal Payment Levy Program to collect overdue federal taxes. This allows the Department of Treasury to withhold up to 15 percent of your monthly Social Security benefits until you repay the debt.
You cannot appeal the reduction of a Social Security benefit payment under tax levy to Social Security. Contact the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-7650 to discuss any appeal rights.
