Social Security Benefits even if you haven't paid into the system?

[Classof2015]

<p>3bm103 – that’s my situation (my husband is 11 years older than me; I’ve paid into the system for 30+ years; he has not). From what I have learned, he cannot collect via my SS benefits until I qualify to collect. So for your friend, she would have to wait until he starts collecting. If they’re getting divorced now, she should ask her attorney if she can still collect as part of their divorce settlement.</p>

<p>Not sure at all about the medicare eligibility for a green card holder.</p>

[fordiscussion]

<p>That doesn’t seem right. I don’t know what she would be expected to live on.</p>

[swimcatsmom]

<p>There does not need to be an agreement in a divorce settlement. If they are married 10 years or more the spouse is automatically qualified to draw social security on the ex’s contributions. But I believe it is correct that a spouse can not draw before the contributing spouse starts drawing so where the contributing spouse is the younger spouse, the non contributing spouse would not be able to draw until the contributing spouse reaches the age and starts drawing…</p>

<p>My understanding is that a green card holder is entitled to Medicare if they have worked 40 quarters in the US and paid into medicare or if they are married to a US citizen that has done so. Should be double checked though.</p>

[Beil1958]

<p>My apologies if this has been covered as I’ve not read the whole thread…</p>

<p>Swimcatsmom–regarding collecting a former spouse’s SS benefits, do the benefits continue for life, even after the former spouse dies?</p>

[HImom]

<p>Here’s the phone number to contact social security–very nice person spoke with me on the phone & answered my questions.</p>

<p>1-800-772-1213</p>

<p>My understanding is that spouses can collect the higher of their SS or 1/2 of whatever spouse is entitled to based on his/her contributions as spousal benefit. The spousal benefit can only begin once the earner/contributor starts to collect. The spousal benefit is for the lifetime of the spouse. DO NOT rely on this thread (or other unofficial sources) for planning advice. Get printed documentation and the official word from SS so that your plans are based on FACTS that will withstand scrutiny and the test of time.</p>

[swimcatsmom]

<p>I believe so, as long as they don’t remarry before a certain age. (I have researched more into non divorced spouses as my work history is in the UK and I have not worked enough in the US to have much SS pension) </p>

<p>from [Qualifying</a> for divorced spouse benefits](<a href=“http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/299/session/L3RpbWUvMTM0NDk3MDI4MC9zaWQvWFkyYnZIM2w%3D]Qualifying”>http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/299/session/L3RpbWUvMTM0NDk3MDI4MC9zaWQvWFkyYnZIM2w%3D)</p>

<p>

A person can receive benefits as a divorced spouse on a former spouse’s Social Security record if he or she:</p>

<pre><code>Was married to the former spouse for at least 10 years;
Is at least age 62 years old;
Is unmarried; and
Is not entitled to a higher Social Security benefit on his or her own record.
</code></pre>

<p>In addition, the former spouse must be entitled to receive his or her own retirement or disability benefit. If the former spouse is eligible for a benefit, but has not yet applied for it, the divorced spouse can still receive a benefit if he or she meets the eligibility requirements above and has been divorced from the former spouse for at least two years.</p>

<p>Generally, we cannot pay benefits if the divorced spouse remarries someone other than the former spouse, unless the latter marriage ends (whether by death, divorce, or annulment), or the marriage is to a person entitled to certain types of Social Security auxiliary or survivor’s benefits. A person can receive benefits as a surviving divorced spouse on the Social Security record of a former spouse who died fully insured, if he or she:</p>

<pre><code>Is at least age 60, or age 50 and disabled;
Was married to the former spouse for at least 10 years; and
Is not entitled to a higher Social Security benefit on his or her own record.
</code></pre>

<p>If the surviving divorced spouse age 60 or over applying for benefits remarried after age 60, or after age 50 and at the time of remarriage was entitled to disability benefits, we disregard the marriage. If a person is already entitled to benefits as an aged or disabled surviving divorced spouse and remarries, benefits continue regardless of the person’s age at the time of remarriage.

</p>