Ask Larry

I am a widower. 7 yrs now. My daughter draws SSA off my late wife's work and I draw 4 months a year because of my income. I met someone who is a disabled adult child who is drawing off her fathers work record. We are getting married. She receives SSDI and Social security. When we get married I understand I will lose what I draw from my late wife. I also understand that my fiance will lose her SSDI. But she is still disabled. Is there anything she would qualify for? Would she be able to keep her Medicare and Medicaid? Will she have to apply for disability all over again? Thanks for any advice.

Hi,

Your fiancee would not lose Social Security disability (SSDI) benefits if she marries, nor would a marriage have any adverse effect on her Medicare eligibility. However, if your fiancee is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid, then those benefits could be reduced or terminated if she marries. SSI and Medicaid are needs based benefits, so if people eligible for those benefits get married then their benefits could be adversely affected depending on the income and resources of their spouse.

Marrying you might eventually allow your your fiancee to qualify for spousal or survivor benefits, but not before you either start drawing your own Social Security retirement or disability benefits or die.

Best, Jerry