How does remarriage affect Social Security spousal or survivor benefits?
It depends on which benefit is involved and when the remarriage happens. A divorced-spouse benefit on a living former spouse's record generally requires being unmarried, so remarriage generally affects it.
Survivor benefits follow a different rule. A widow(er) or surviving divorced spouse generally must be unmarried, but SSA disregards a remarriage that happens at age 60 or later (50 or later for a disabled widow(er) who meets the conditions). If a later marriage ends by death or divorce, survivor entitlement can begin again.
SSA applies these rules to the facts and dates involved. We do not determine eligibility here.
Reviewed by Bay Area Wealth Advisors. Last reviewed 2026-09-24. Educational information only — not individualized financial, tax or legal advice.