Does getting married affect health insurance?

Asked by: Mrs. Ardith Price PhD  |  Last update: June 26, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (62 votes)

When you get married, you can change your health coverage. You can add yourself, your new spouse and children to your employer's plan, enroll in your spouse's employer's plan, or find coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace (Marketplace).

Does marital status matter in health insurance?

Does marital status matter for health insurance? If you are looking for affordable health insurance for married couples, then your marital status might matter. While many states recognize common law marriages, whether it qualifies you for your spouse's health insurance policy may vary.

Does health insurance go down when you get married?

No; you getting married will have no impact on your eligibility to be on their insurance and their insurance company will have no idea. Unless you use the marriage as an opportunity to be added to your new spouses plan. Then the two plans have to be informed of each other so they can coordinate benefits.

Does your insurance go down when you get married?

Your personal relationship status does have an impact on what you pay for car insurance. Because married drivers are seen as more financially stable and safer drivers, they typically pay less for car insurance.

What benefits will I lose if I get married?

If you get Social Security disability or retirement benefits and you marry, your benefit will stay the same. However, other benefits such as SSI, Survivors, Divorced Spouses, and Child's benefits may be affected.

Getting Married | What You need to know about your health insurance

32 related questions found

Is it better financially to be single or married?

There are a number of financial benefits to marriage, ranging from lower insurance costs to greater mortgage eligibility. The marriage benefits are particularly pronounced for people who have widely different incomes.

What benefits do I lose if I remarry?

If you're receiving spousal benefits based on your former spouse's work record, those benefits will generally end upon your getting remarried, but you may be able to receive benefits based on your new spouse's work record, or on your own.

Do you have to tell insurance about marriage?

Being married doesn't give coverage to spouses or their vehicle on the other's car insurance policy. To add a spouse and their vehicle to an insurance policy, the insurance company must be notified.

Is health insurance cheaper for married couples?

So on average, married couples don't get a price break, although they may come out ahead compared to single individuals due to shared deductible provisions. Health insurance premiums vary widely by location, as well.

Does getting married affect your credit score?

No, getting married does not have any affect on your credit. Credit reports do not record marital status. Credit scoring systems, which calculate scores using credit report data, therefore do not and cannot factor marital status into your scores.

How does getting married affect you financially?

Marriage can also bring about significant tax advantages for some couples. They can choose to file jointly, which often results in lower tax rates and access to various tax credits and deductions. Additionally, married couples have higher income thresholds before they reach higher tax brackets.

Do you have to show proof of marriage for health insurance?

Answer: Yes -- employers generally may require proof of marriage before adding a spouse to the company health-insurance plan. In fact, employers may require verification, not only of spouses, but of all dependents.

Does marital status affect health?

Literature on health and mortality by marital status has consistently identified that unmarried individuals generally report poorer health and have a higher mortality risk than their married counterparts, with men being particularly affected in this respect.

Do I lose my parents' insurance if I get married?

You can stay on a parent's plan until you turn 26

Generally, you can join a parent's plan and stay on until you turn 26 even if you: Get married. Have or adopt a child. Start or leave school.

What does getting married change?

Once you're married, you'll receive numerous rights and benefits. These range from tax and inheritance benefits, to alimony and child support in the event of a divorce, to your right to take bereavement leave from your job if your spouse should die.

How does marriage affect insurance?

4. Does Marriage Status Affect Car Insurance? Marital status doesn't affect your eligibility for car insurance, but it can affect your rates. Being married makes you statistically less likely to file a claim, and your insurance company should recognize this statistical fact by rewarding you with lower premiums.

What is the working spouse rule?

The Plan's Working Spouse Rule states that, if your spouse is working for an employer who offers a health plan, the Plan requires them to enroll in that employer-sponsored coverage to be eligible for Plan coverage. Your spouse must confirm whether they have access to and are enrolled in their employer's health plan.

Why is adding spouse to health insurance so expensive?

“Usually, an employer will cover more of the employee's premium than the spouse's,” points out Katz. So, you may pay a higher monthly insurance bill (premium) if you join a spouse's plan.

Does health insurance know if you get married?

To ensure your insurance providers are aware of your marriage, it is your responsibility to inform them about the change in your marital status and request to add your spouse to the policy if desired.

Does insurance go down when you get married?

Married people usually pay less for auto insurance because they're statistically less likely to file claims. However, if your spouse has a bad driving record or poor credit, you might save money by maintaining separate car insurance policies.

Why do insurance companies ask if you're married?

This is because insurance companies generally view married drivers as less hazardous drivers. They frequently have lower claims and accident rates, which translate into reduced premiums.

Will I lose benefits if I get married?

Your benefits

Remarriage, civil partnership or living as a couple can affect your means-tested benefits due to the addition of your new partner's income. You will need to inform your benefits office as soon as possible to let them know of the changes in your circumstances.

Do you lose your first husband's Social Security if you remarry?

You can't receive Social Security survivor's benefits if you remarry before 60. If you remarry after age 60 (50 if disabled), you can still collect benefits on your former spouse's record. When you reach age 66, you may get retirement benefits from your new or current spouse's record if it is higher.

Does getting married affect your Social Security?

Marriage has its perks

Social Security covers both spouses, regardless of whether one or both brought home a paycheck over the years. A married person may collect benefits based on their own earnings or receive a maximum of 50% of their spouse's Social Security benefits, whichever is greater.