---
title: What Same-Sex Couples Need to Know About Social Security
description: Two Social Security experts explain what same-sex couples need to know.
authors:
  - name: tomvollkommer
    url: https://money.com/author/tomvollkommer/
    at_money_since: 2015
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    former_staff: true
published: '2016-04-08T14:34:52.000Z'
modified: '2024-05-07T10:39:19.000Z'
section: Retirement
tags:
  - Benefits
  - Gay Marriage
  - Marriage
  - Money
  - Retirement
  - Same-sex couples
  - Social Security
  - social security secrets
  - spousal benefits
  - supreme court decision
  - the new retirement
  - video
  - widows benefits
word_count: 183
canonical: https://money.com/same-sex-couples-social-security/
type: Article
source: structured-blocks
---

> **Disclosure:** We research all brands listed and may earn a fee from our partners. Research and financial considerations may influence how brands are displayed. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/).

![Screen Shot 2016-04-07 at 10.11.53 AM](https://img.money.com/2016/04/screen-shot-2016-04-07-at-10-11-53-am.png)

*In this series, “[Social Security Secrets](https://money.com/tag/social-security-secrets/),” experts Larry Kotlikoff and Phil Moeller explain the most important things you need to know about this valuable retirement benefit. Kotlikoff and Moeller are co-authors of the* New York Times *best-seller* [Get What’s Yours: The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security](http://www.amazon.com/Get-Whats-Yours-Revised-Security/dp/1501144766/).

When the Supreme Court declared same-sex marriage constitutional, couples became eligible for Social Security benefits that may have previously been denied to them. Phil Moeller and Larry Kotlikoff, co-authors of *Get What’s Yours: The Secrets to Maxing Out Your Social Security,* have advice for those same-sex couples.

The first thing to do, if you were denied benefits, is call your local Social Security office to see what you can claim now that your marriage has been recognized.

Same-sex couples should also be aware that they can now receive all of the benefits allowed to married couples. The lower earner can claim spousal benefits from Social Security. They can also claim widow's benefits and receive the higher earner's Social Security. If the couple has school-aged children, they can get a little help for their kids, too.

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