Ask Larry

I am presently seventy years old. I remarried about six years ago to a man twelve yrs younger than myself. I never thought to notify soc sec which I had been collecting since I turned retirement age. My I have my husbands last name on marriage certificate but use my previous last name from previous marriage because of it is easier than to change on all my previous bank statements etc which the bank told me was fine.. will I be penalized from soc sec because I just never reported this marriage because I just did not honestly think of it

Hi,

Not unless you are receiving divorced spousal benefits on a living ex's record. Your remarriage would not affect your Social Security benefits if you are receiving retirement benefits on your own record, nor would it affect survivor benefits on a deceased spouse or ex-spouse's record since you remarried after age 60. However, a remarriage to someone else would terminate your entitlement to divorced spousal benefits on a living ex-spouse's record.

Best, Jerry