littlestars
Confident
My boyfriend isn't good at keeping secrets and often ruins surprises. He recently told me that he wanted to marry me and wanted to know what kind of engagement ring I would like. I felt happy, but I knew I wouldn't be able to actually have a traditional marriage with him because I would lose my benefits. My mental health comes before anything else, but it would be nice to have him be my husband someday. I know we would most likely have a long engagement until I am well enough to work again or he can support us. I'd honestly earn my own money and have my own career if I were married/in general. Anyway, I was wondering if there was an alternative to marriage in New York State that would allow me to have an official partnership where he is my spouse without losing my survivor benefits. I have survivor benefits because I had SSI and then my father passed away so I "inherited" his social security. Any help would be appreciated. I'm looking into anything really.