Financial Security For Our Wives/Partners

[Dave Hounddriver]

1 hour ago, Greglm said:

I am reasonably certain no person who is not a legal resident of the USA  or a citizen of the USA can collect a social security benefit upon the death of the spouse. This is what I understand for US SS benefits

I have no dog in the fight, but 3 seconds on Google shows something that appears to contradict you.

Quote

 

Can my non-US spouse receive my Social Security benefits?

In most cases, the answer is yes. Foreign spouses generally qualify for Social Security survivor benefits, which are the deceased US worker's full benefits. In the case of dependent or spousal Social Security, a foreign spouse will likely qualify, receiving half of the US expat's benefit.

https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/faq/can-non-us-spouse-receive-social-security-benefits/#:~:text=In most cases%2C the answer,of the US expat's benefit.

 

 

[Joey G]

Only 6 years apart here... but that 6 looks wider down the road than now. Married 40+ years... She will get everything when I'm gone (I guess she has everything now for that matter LOL)...  but she will get about 1/2 what my SS is now, 1/2 my govt pension, and all of my 401K, stocks, and property (already in both names) here in the USA. Also eligible to retain the same health insurance we've had 40+ years. She starts SS in 2 months (she managed to max out the credits needed)... and I've been getting it for 5.. She'll be fine financially no matter where she decides to live.

We both have "I love you" wills... which means everything goes to the survivor... and when both of us are gone... equal split with the kids (all over 30 now). 

With that said... we've been through enough on both sides of our families to learn that if you want to give something to someone else, no matter who it is... better to give it to them while you're alive!!  No one can contest a gift if you give it when you're alive.  We've seen too many wills get dragged through the courts in the USA and the Philippines.

Also...  trying to steer or dictate how one spends/or uses what you give them.. whether its in a will or a gift..... isn't worth the effort. 

 

Edited February 26, 2023 by Joey G

[Joey G]

4 minutes ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

In most cases, the answer is yes. Foreign spouses generally qualify for Social Security survivor benefits, which are the deceased US worker's full benefits. In the case of dependent or spousal Social Security, a foreign spouse will likely qualify, receiving half of the US expat's benefit.

"Likely qualify" is correct... but not guaranteed... because it gets complicated with certain situations.  Anyone counting on SS in the USA for a non-US citizen would be smart to get professional advice from a lawyer specializing in SS.  

 

[OnMyWay]

1 hour ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

Can my non-US spouse receive my Social Security benefits?

In most cases, the answer is yes. Foreign spouses generally qualify for Social Security survivor benefits, which are the deceased US worker's full benefits. In the case of dependent or spousal Social Security, a foreign spouse will likely qualify, receiving half of the US expat's benefit.

Greenback always comes up in search's and their info is often misleading or wrong.  In their "basic requirements" they mention 40 quarters of work.  Wrong.

Better use the SSA links in the other topic.

[Mike J]

2 hours ago, Joey G said:

She will get everything when I'm gone (I guess she has everything now for that matter LOL)...  but she will get about 1/2 what my SS is now

If you have passed away, she will get 100% as survivor benefit.  If she reaches retirement age and you are still alive she can collect up to 50% of your benefit, or her own if she has 40 or more quarters of work.  She can collect the greater of the two amounts if she has her own account and the 40 quarters of employment where SS deduction was reported by the employer.

[hk blues]

For our situation, my wife will get nothing from the UK Govt. from my state pension.  She will get something from my 4 private pensions but that will depend on how I decide to split the benefits when I retire - I'm currently 58 and my wife is 13 years younger.  Obviously she will get 'our' property here as it's hers anyway under local law.  I have also managed our (OK my) savings in the UK so that there will be a sizeable amount which will see her through very comfortable for the remainder of her time.  Without disclosing numbers, I'd estimate that with what we have here in savings she'll have enough to get by even without my UK savings and/or pensions.  That said, I want her to do more than get by and would also like to start my son off in his adult life with a helpful push. 

My principle is I want her to be comfortable once I'm gone but not a lottery winner!  

[BrettGC]

3 hours ago, hk blues said:

My principle is I want her to be comfortable once I'm gone but not a lottery winner!

My goal exactly. 

[Snowy79]

I work on the principle of my partner being self sufficient and not having to rely on me when I'm gone.  One long term ex I encouraged to do a college course that would ensure potential employment.  She moaned like mad but I don't believe in buying love so she completed her course, after we seperated she has never been out of work and makes a reasonable amount, enough to put a little aside and we remain friends so she now sees the benefit in what I've done.

My current partner I also don't give a peso to but cover most expenses.  I got her a job looking after a condo and then moved out of my condo into a similar one paying 30k monthly and let her rent out my condo daily as her own business, keeping the profits after she has paid for my rental.  She is doing great and building a credit history up.  In a few years she will have a deposit for her own condo and rent that out so hopefully raking in over 100k per month. I will obviously see her OK in my will, probably gift her a 50% share in my condo and whatever I have in the bank. At least I will know she can handle money and to be fair she is better at it than me.

Too often I see the guys with their arm candy that think they have retired in their 20's and don't respect money.  The latest smart phone and designer gear, just lunching and drinking with their mates. Two I know had a rude awakening when their partner died and left them nothing.  From living a retired life to homeless at the end of the month when the rent wasn't paid.

I firmly believe the best thing you can leave your partner is the ability to look after themselves.

[stevewool]

We have savings here in the uk plus the house too, more then enough to last her when I’ve gone .plus I’m sure she could go back to working in the NHS as that is what she is doing at the moment until she retires early again so we can see the world together .

We have talked about would she return back to the Philippines if I die but the answer is no so we are not looking at buying a home there for her to retire too, she has friends and family here in the uk .

But can I asked what would happen if your partner goes before you.

[hk blues]

3 minutes ago, stevewool said:

But can I asked what would happen if your partner goes before you.

That would depend on what age I was if that were to happen - if it was whilst my son was still young i.e. not adult, I'd almost certainly return to the UK with him as I wouldn't fancy bringing a child up here without my wife.  If he were older and established here I'd have to think long and hard about staying here or going back home and visiting from time-to-time.