Spousal survivors benefit? (Canada, spouses, federal, 2014)

[Versatile]

Hello, Would the be any difference on my futures wife survivors benefit if she is not a citizen of the USA and lives in Central America?


http://www.forbes.com/sites/kotlikof...50s-marry-or-r





You only need to be married for one year (nine months) before you become eligible to collect spousal (survivor) benefits on John’s earnings record.

Thanks for looking.

[biscuitmom]

Foreign spouses of US citizens must have been married to the US citizen spouse and lived with the spouse in the United States for five years to be eligible to receive survivor benefits.

edit to add: The above rule currently does not apply if the foreign spouse is a citizen of one of these countries:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom

[reed303]

Probably will not be eligible, if spouse did not reside in the US for 5 years. If she did, then maybe.

There is a "Payments Abroad Screening Tool" website at:
International Programs - Payments Outside the United States

that steps you through the issues. My quick try stopped at the 5 year residency rule.


The gory details of the rules are here:

Code of Federal Regulations § 404.460


Good Luck..........

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by biscuitmom

Foreign spouses of US citizens must have been married to the US citizen spouse and lived with the spouse in the United States for five years to be eligible to receive survivor benefits.

edit to add: The above rule currently does not apply if the foreign spouse is a citizen of one of these countries:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom

Thanks. Very informative.

[Versatile]

Originally Posted by reed303

Probably will not be eligible, if spouse did not reside in the US for 5 years. If she did, then maybe.

There is a "Payments Abroad Screening Tool" website at:
International Programs - Payments Outside the United States

that steps you through the issues. My quick try stopped at the 5 year residency rule.


The gory details of the rules are here:

Code of Federal Regulations § 404.460


Good Luck..........

Thanks to you as well. I have book marked.

[alpineprince]

My spouse and I live in Peru and are weighing whether to live in the USA or Chile for 5 years in order for her to qualify.

[biscuitmom]

Originally Posted by alpineprince

My spouse and I live in Peru and are weighing whether to live in the USA or Chile for 5 years in order for her to qualify.

You might want to read the document at http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10137.pdf to make sure you understand the current regulations.
I interpret it to say that if she's a citizen of Chile, it doesn't matter where she lives; she won't have to meet a residency requirement. If she's not a citizen of Chile or one of the other countries listed on pages 5 & 8, her only option is the US residency.