hello, i need info about getting married. i am 60 years old and i get $750 a month SSI. the man that wants to marry me he is also 60 years old, and he gets $1004 a month SSD. he has stage 4 cancer. so if i marry him will social security take my SSI check? really need to know this. thanks, DELORIS

Hi Deloris,

I don't have enough information to give you a complete answer, but it sounds very likely that your SSI (Supplemental Security Income) payments would at least be reduced if not eliminated entirely if you marry. SSI is a needs based program that provides a last resort source of income to people who are disabled, blind or at least age 65. And, if you're married, your spouse's income and resources are taken into consideration when determining how much if any SSI payments you qualify for.

I'm not an expert on SSI, so I'm not sure how much your SSI rate would be affected due to your husband's Social Security income. Plus, if he has any other income or your combined countable assets would exceed $3000 in value, that could make you ineligible for SSI benefits. Your best option would probably be to check with Social Security to see if they can tell you how much if any SSI you could still receive if you do get married.

On a positive note, if you do marry it could lead to eligibility for Social Security spousal and or survivor benefits on your husband's record in the future. However, you must normally be married for at least a year and be at least age 62 before you could qualify for spousal benefits, and your marriage must normally have lasted for at least 9 months in order for you to potentially qualify for survivor benefits in the event of your husband's death.

Best, Jerry