Do I Need to Tell My Employer I Got Married?
Learn how marriage can affect your tax withholding, benefits, and workplace records, and what updates you may need to make with your employer.
Getting married is a major life event that affects various aspects of your employment, from tax withholding to workplace benefits. While sharing personal news at work is optional, some updates are necessary for legal and financial reasons.
Ensuring your employer has accurate information helps you receive the correct benefits and avoid potential issues.
Tax Withholding Changes
Marriage can impact tax withholding, and updating your elections helps prevent surprises at tax time. The IRS uses a progressive tax system, meaning your combined income may place you in a different bracket. This can lead to overpaying or underpaying taxes if withholding isn’t adjusted.
To update your withholding, submit a new IRS Form W-4 to your employer. Married couples can file jointly or separately, with joint filers often benefiting from lower tax rates and higher standard deductions. In 2024, the standard deduction for joint filers is $29,200, compared to $14,600 for single filers. If both spouses work, using the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can help determine the correct amount to withhold.
Filing jointly can also affect tax credits and deductions. The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) have different income thresholds for married couples. If one spouse earns significantly more, adjusting withholding can help avoid a large tax bill. Additionally, if your spouse has significant deductions, such as student loan interest or medical expenses, it may influence your overall tax liability.
Employer-Sponsored Benefits
Marriage may change your eligibility for workplace benefits such as health insurance, life insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Many employers allow newly married employees to add a spouse to their health plan outside open enrollment, but deadlines—often 30 or 60 days from the date of marriage—apply. Missing this window could mean waiting until the next enrollment period.
If both spouses have employer-sponsored health insurance, comparing plan costs, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and provider networks can help determine whether to combine coverage or maintain separate policies. Some employers impose a spousal surcharge if your spouse has access to their own workplace coverage but opts to join your plan instead.
Life insurance policies provided through work may also need updates. If your employer offers group life insurance, you might want to add your spouse as a beneficiary or increase coverage if you now have shared financial responsibilities. Some companies allow employees to purchase additional voluntary life insurance at group rates, which can be more cost-effective than an individual policy.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) may also be affected. If you have an FSA for medical expenses, your contribution limits remain the same, but you can now use the funds for your spouse’s healthcare costs. HSAs, available with high-deductible health plans, have higher contribution limits for families—$8,300 in 2024 compared to $4,150 for individuals. If your spouse also has an HSA-eligible plan, coordinating contributions can maximize tax advantages.
Retirement Account Updates
Marriage affects retirement planning, particularly beneficiary designations, spousal contributions, and long-term financial strategies. Many employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, automatically designate a spouse as the primary beneficiary unless a notarized waiver is signed. If you previously listed someone else, you may need to update this.
Spousal considerations extend to Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). If one spouse does not work or earns significantly less, a spousal IRA allows the higher-earning partner to contribute on their behalf, up to $7,000 in 2024 ($8,000 if age 50 or older). This can be especially beneficial for stay-at-home spouses who might not otherwise have access to tax-advantaged retirement savings. Additionally, married couples filing jointly with a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) below $230,000 in 2024 can take full advantage of Roth IRA contributions, whereas single filers face a much lower phase-out threshold.
Social Security benefits should also be factored into retirement planning. Spouses may be eligible for benefits based on each other’s earnings record, which can be advantageous if one partner has a significantly higher income history. Claiming strategies, such as delaying benefits to increase monthly payouts or coordinating spousal benefits, can impact overall retirement income. If one spouse passes away, the surviving partner may receive survivor benefits, which can help maintain financial stability.
Updating Personal and Dependent Information
Marriage often requires updates to payroll records, emergency contacts, and workplace policies. If you change your last name, notify your employer to ensure payroll records match Social Security Administration (SSA) data. A mismatch can lead to rejected tax filings or delayed wage crediting for future benefits. Updating your name with the SSA first and then providing your employer with the new Social Security card avoids complications.
Address changes should also be reported, particularly if you and your spouse move. This ensures tax documents, pay stubs, and benefit information are sent to the correct location. State and local tax withholding may be affected if your move places you in a different tax jurisdiction. Some states impose local income taxes that vary by municipality, which may require withholding adjustments to prevent underpayment penalties.
Possible Documentation Requirements
Employers may require specific documents to process updates. Proof of marriage, typically a marriage certificate, is often needed to add a spouse to health insurance or other benefits. Some employers may also request additional documentation, such as a spouse’s birth certificate or proof of joint residency, particularly if benefits extend to domestic partners or dependents.
For payroll and tax purposes, if you’ve changed your name, your employer will need a copy of your updated Social Security card for accurate tax reporting. Human resources may also require a new direct deposit authorization if you and your spouse consolidate bank accounts. If adjusting life insurance beneficiaries or retirement account designations, some changes may require notarized consent from your spouse, particularly in plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).