Deedee13

this conversation about widow and pensions etc can anyone answer this question. I heard that if the partner was married before and dies the EX gets the SS pension? is this correct?

norfolkbroad

http://www.ssa.gov/ww&os2.htm

Just looked up the above link....

Joan

Deedee13

do u have to be an american citizen to claim survivors ss? or even to claim any ss?

norfolkbroad

As far as I know as long as you are a legal permanent resident and have worked the appropriate number of quarters, you'll get the SS. However, I get differing answers when I wanted to know if I would get the benefits if I returned to the UK. One person said no, another said yes, so I'm thinking I'm going to have to bite the bullet and get my US citizenship just to be on the safe side. I've been here 17 years so I suppose it's time. Just keep putting it off.

Deedee13

i am going to the ss office this afternoon. So i will ask them! Bloody pain in the ass this is. Especially if someone is working here and paying into it and then not reaping the benefits.

norfolkbroad

I always ask at least 3 people to see if they give the same reply, especially at government offices. Let me know if you get any GOOD info.
Joan

farmerwife

If you need to check that, you can find your records and benefits here also -

http://socialsecurity.gov/

Look under 'Your Social Security Records', then 'Your Statement'.

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.

Tracym

Doesn't sound like half to me - sounds like the ex and the surviving spouse get the full amount - unless I'm reading it wrong. The previous site said:

"If your divorced spouse dies, you can receive benefits as a widow/widower if the marriage lasted 10 years or longer and you are age 60 or older (or age 50 if you are disabled.) Benefits paid to a surviving divorced spouse who is 60 or older (age 50 if disabled) will not affect the benefit rates for other survivors receiving benefits."

Deedee13

well i dont understand a word of it! if spouse dies does surviving spouse if he has never been married before get full or is half just the amount anyone can get>??? And if spouse starts claiming does he get full amount or is his reduced so ex gets a bit?

Mallory

that was so complicated I couldn't understand what you were getting at.

i'm not an expert by the way, but i do read a lot.

If ex wife was married to a man for at least 10 years - she can claim AN AMOUNT equaling half of his SS.

Present spouse can get AN AMOUNT equalling half this man's SS.

Man gets to draw the full amount, while the ex and spouse both draw AN AMOUNT equaling 50% of what he draws.

Tracym

I'm gonna say husband and wife, just because it gets confusing to read - I understand it could be either way.

My understanding is that if a husband dies, his current wife gets whatever she would get regardless if if he has an ex-wife who could collect also.

This talks about how much percentage-wise:

http://www.ssa.gov/survivorplan/onyourown5.htm

In your own situation, I suspect that if (heaven forbid!) anything happened to your husband there would be pensions and things from the police force.

Tracym

I must be missing something in the reading - where are you seeing that "half" part?

Bob

want to be teaching in CT....they make about double what teachers in ME are making.

Bob

You can only claim SS abroad if a USC is the problem, but you can use the SS contributions to bunk up your NIC in the UK if you don't have enough for both...