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What Do I Need To Do So That My Wife Can Get My SS Benefits When I Die?

I am a USA citizen I merried a Mexican woman what do I need to do so she can my ss benefits when I die she’s no resident or natural citizen of the USA

Hi. I can't be sure without more information, but it doesn't sound like your wife could currently be paid Social Security survivor benefits on your account unless you either lived together as man and wife in the U.S. for at least 5 years, or if you're a U.S. military service veteran and you die from a service connected injury or illness. The alien nonpayment provisions of the Social Security Act bar payment of benefits to non U.S. citizens who live outside of the U.S. unless they meet one of the exceptions to the provisions (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0302610010). Nothing stated in your question indicates that your wife would meet any of those exceptions.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Aug 4 2022 - 6:20pm
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