Originally Posted by Tracym

Mallory - I still am confused - WHERE are you getting that 50%?

Originally Posted by Mallory

but wouldn't your own SS be greater than 50% of your ex-husband?

Originally Posted by Mallory

You don't get as much as your spouse, you get 50% (if you are relying on him).

If you want to get as much as your spouse, you have to earn it yourself.

hypothetical:

Man gets $1,400.00 SS.

Present spouse worked PT and would only draw $600 herself. 50% of man's is $700, so wife's will be brought up to $700.

Ex wife (married to him for 10 years).

Same as as present spouse.

Originally Posted by Tracym

I understand you are saying 50%. But what I read contradicts that.

The links I posted showed that the spouse get 100%. Which is why I am confused. Do you have a link that shows where you read that 50%?

Originally Posted by Mallory

If you are both alive, you get 50% of his, (or your own). When he dies you get 100%.

I'm not divorced, so not really up on that, but here's a link.

http://parenting.ivillage.com/mom/st...36r4-3,00.html

Originally Posted by norfolkbroad

Trouble is I only worked in the UK for a month or so before moving to Germany where I worked for 20 years before coming here. I know I get retirement benefits from there but the sticking point is that I want a pension from Germany separate from the US one, i.e. not combine them so I only get one, if you see what I mean. The Germans say this is possible but the US says no, so I don't know if I can keep it quiet or not!!

Originally Posted by Elvira

and let me guess: you pay extra for water, sewage and waste disposal?

Originally Posted by jumping doris

They spend about $30K on the High school musical.

Originally Posted by Mallory

Partly correct. If the ex was married to a man for 10 years she can collect half his SS (or her own if larger).

But, the present spouse can ALSO collect half of his SS (or her own if larger).

He collects the same amount regardless.

I believe they can start collecting, when he starts drawing.

Even if he is deceased, they both can collect.

Originally Posted by Jerseygirl

What if he's been married say 4 times...all for 10 years or more?

Originally Posted by norfolkbroad

Well, that's good to know. Provided there's still some money left in the pot in 10 years time. But when applying for SS benefits over here at retirement age is there a question about other income, i.e. pension from another country? The one person at SS I talked to said that I would have to report the amount I was getting from Germany and if it was more than the US one I would get the German and not the US. Was that a load of crap?

Originally Posted by basementwaj

So i have been in the US for 6 weeks now, with my greencard in my hand and a ir1 visa in my pocket.... and its hard being here!

I thought it would be pretty easy, get visa, move to US, get job, get apartment be happy. But my job fell through and i cant find any work. I know its only been 6 weeks (and we are living with the wifes gran for now) but my UK experience means sh*t to these people. I mean i have travelled the world managing my previous company's divisions, and was based in london, but people here dont really care and just want you to sell insurance for them!

I have worked (PT&FT) since i was 13 years old, and i have been unemployed for 8 weeks now. i am just not used to this...
people here are nice but i can tell that their sincerety is completely fake...
i have always lived within 5 miles of my entire family and now im 4000 miles from them..
Plus, living expenses are way higher than i thought they were... for example, i bought lettuce yesterday from food lion, it cost $2.00! the same lettuce is £0.30 in the uk (i guess its not a high demand item here)

Plus mobiles are way more expensive than i realised, internet is more pricey than the UK and everyone wants to sell you something!

So, i have had my rant now and just needed to get my frustrations out there... i have massive respect for all of you that came here and have made a go of it, i hope i get to that position soon..... any advice to keep me sane is welcomed! i check BE whenever i can, but im stealing my neighbours internet and its a bit dicey!!!!

and if anyone wants to send me a Wah-mbulance, feel free!

Originally Posted by Deedee13

ok, after a couple of hours at the ss office this afternoon. YES u can draw two pensions and NO they wont affect each other - Providing that u have reached the 40 credits required! If its less than the 40 required to receive a us pension then u can use what u have accumulated here and add it to ur foreign one to get a FULL pension. However, if u have reached the required credits that u need then u get the full one here and it has no affect if u have one from another country too.

US SS will be paid out to a non resident non USC providing they have lived with spouse for at least five years in USA! And u will be taxed differently.

US SS is taxed differently if u are a non USC but have collected all ur credits! does that help any.

And yes if ur present hubby dies and ur ex has more ss you can claim from his providing u dont remarry before u turn 60 and providing ur either divorced again or widowed.

If u find my pic in the newspaper tomorrow because i have been arrested! I am sure the woman thought i had alteria motives. I didnt and I dont just want to know whats what.

Originally Posted by Tracym

I mildly shudder to mention this, fearing another great debate - but with social security generally comes medicare, which is important to have in the older years.

I'm ignoring the background sounds of the knife slipping across the sharpening steel...

Originally Posted by Deedee13

explain a little bit more? i think basically the two go hand in hand but what will it have for an impact on the people like me and many others that probably pay into but might not or cannot get USC.