Ask Larry: Questions and Answers

Aloha
If I die before my wife can she collect my social security benefits, once she turns 62,
Even if she is:
Not a us citizen
Decides to move back to Japan
and surrenders her green card.

Hi,

Actually, your wife could potentially qualify for widow's benefits as early as age 60 in the event of your death. And, since the U.S. has a Social Security totalization agreement with Japan, moving to Japan would not cause your wife to lose her widow's benefits assuming that she's a Japanese citizen.

Best, Jerry

I was commonlaw married in PA since 1991. We were together for 31 yrs and raised a family. We split and I moved to NY. I've applied 3 times and been refused. They won't even get back to me. I will be 67 this year and if accepted will pay more for medicare. I've called the main office and my local. They're telling me to appeal for the 2nd time. Getting tired of the runaround.

Hi,

If you've applied for benefits and your claim was disallowed, your only options are to file an appeal or file a new claim. Appeals must normally be filed within 60 days of . . . Read More

I've recently retired at the age of 64. FRA is 66, 4 mos. My husband passed away in 2017 at the age of 64. He hadn't applied for retirement benefits. I have spoken to 2 people from SSA regarding my application for benefits and got 2 different answers. The first said that I should take my own reduced retirement benefits first and then switch to survivors benefit from my husband after it had increased. My husband's benefit is significantly higher. But the second time I was told that I had to take survivors benefit first because my husband's was higher than my retirement benefits . . . Read More

I've been divorced since 1991. I'm retired now and 67 years old. I was married 15 years. If I die will my ex be able to draw from my social security?

Hi,

Potentially, yes, but your ex could only qualify for survivor benefits from your record if he or she is unmarried, or if married got married at age 60 or older. Also, your ex would need to be at least age 60, or at least age 50 and disabled, in order to qualify for survivor benefits, and if he or she is already drawing their own benefits they'd only be eligible for survivor benefits if the survivor . . . Read More