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dongringo_catemaco

Aug 26, 2011, 12:13 AM

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Wife's Benefit

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I am posting this on behalf of a US citizen,very long term resident in Mexico, married to a Mexican woman in the US a long time ago, with her Mexico to US visa in order. He is worried about dropping dead and thinks internet is evil.

Aside from survivor benefits, there also seems to be a wife's benefit for wives without paid in social security available at age 62 to spouses, irregardless of nationality, if the husband is beyond 65, or whatever the current age limit is.
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Supposedly there is a one month US residency required for the spouse in order to apply.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation? Gracias
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(This post was edited by dongringo_catemaco on Aug 26, 2011, 12:22 AM)

Axixic

Aug 26, 2011, 5:53 AM

Post #2 of 9 (2257 views)

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Re: [dongringo_catemaco] Wife's Benefit

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I think you are asking what is required for a non-US citizen to collect widow's benefits?

She will be required to stay in the U.S. for one month every 6 months and report to SS. There is a hotel in San Antonio that is operated by Spanish speaking nuns where many Mexican SS widows stay. It costs about $400 a mo. When I say Spanish speaking nuns, I mean they don't speak English.

She can collect at 62 but at a lower rate.

dongringo_catemaco

Aug 26, 2011, 6:03 AM

Post #3 of 9 (2246 views)

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Re: [Axixic] Wife's Benefit

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Thanks, but I think that is not pertinent. Wife's benefits are payable before becoming a widow.
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Gringal

Aug 26, 2011, 7:06 AM

Post #4 of 9 (2217 views)

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Re: [dongringo_catemaco] Wife's Benefit

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There is a SS website giving the information. It would probably be more reliable than we are. lol.

dongringo_catemaco

Aug 26, 2011, 7:26 AM

Post #5 of 9 (2203 views)

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Re: [Gringal] Wife's Benefit

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gee, thanks,
do you hace a specific link.?, because I can`t find it
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joaquinx

Aug 26, 2011, 7:36 AM

Post #6 of 9 (2200 views)

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Re: [dongringo_catemaco] Wife's Benefit

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How about the Social Security office at the Embassy in DF?
http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_fbu.html
_______
My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.

dongringo_catemaco

Aug 26, 2011, 10:32 AM

Post #7 of 9 (2152 views)

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Re: [joaquinx] Wife's Benefit

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Actually the guy, although internet wary, is a phone freak, especially with free US and Mexico calls by TELMEX. The unsolved problem is residency of the spouse of a US citizen living in Mexico.

At present the phoned advice is:
"she must have lived in the US for 1 month",
verified by what? "Oh, a letter from a neighbor will do".
I am really the one that tells him "you gotta be kidding".

Fortunately the wife is 7 years away from need, lucky guy.
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(This post was edited by dongringo_catemaco on Aug 26, 2011, 10:37 AM)

mazbook1

Aug 26, 2011, 12:00 PM

Post #8 of 9 (2123 views)

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Re: [dongringo_catemaco] Wife's Benefit

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It's been awhile since I researched this very thing, but here is what I remember (but minor details might be wrong). While a SS recipient (your friend) is alive, there are no benefits for the foreign wife, but his benefits may be increased if he has minor dependent children. Once he dies, survivors' benefits kick in for his wife and minor dependent children IF they live in the U.S. I don't remember the 1 month out of 6 deal, but like I said, it was some time ago when I checked and my memory may be faulty.

Gringal

Aug 26, 2011, 12:56 PM

Post #9 of 9 (2105 views)

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Re: [mazbook1] Wife's Benefit

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From the Yahoo "Search" blank at the top of the page: Enter"Social Security Website" and pick one from the list that pops up, which includes the ability to deal with them online, the ten thousand questions, and what you need to do to apply..