I have a question here:

Say...

There is a couple, the husband is the only one that has been working, his wife never works...

After he passed away, will his wife get the SSN benefit? If so, what is the requirements for her to be able to get the SSN benefit-I am asking like does she have to be a US citizen? What if she is only a permanent resident?

P.S. The husband of course paid TONS of thousand to the IRS before he died. Just like us:p

Yes - it's called "survivor's benefits." A surviving spouse can start collecting full benefits at his/her retirement age (between 65 and 67, depending on the year he/she was born), or a reduced amount per month as early as at age 60, or earlier if disabled. See the following for details:

Social Security Online - Widows, Widowers & Other Survivors - Qualify and Apply (http://www.ssa.gov/ww&os2.htm)

As for non-citizes receiving SS benefits - yes, as long as the person resides in US legally. See:

Answer (http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=183&p_created=956060787&p_sid=*gxUlAIi&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9MjAsMjAmcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZ wX2N2PTEuMjQmcF9wYWdlPTE*&p_li=&p_topview=1)

Thank you Ebaines!

Do you think it's possible for her to go receive SSN benefits from both countries?

The previous one-her home country where she worked, and paid for the SSN.

This one- in US, collect benefit after her husband's death.

Thanks again.:)

I have no idea about the rules for pensions from other countries. But as already noted, as long as she resides in the US legally, and her husband paid into the US social secutity system (and reached the minimum number of quarters to be due a benefit upon retirement), then yes, she can collect SS benefits from the US.

Only one's spouse can collect it? Right?

Yes, only the surviving spouse can receive it. However, it is not common that the survivor receives 100% of the benefits of the deceased. My father (72) passed away 2 months ago and when my mother (70) filed for survivor's benefits she was only awarded 2/3 of what he was receiving.

There are provisions for dependent's benefits. Also I believe she could collect from both. I don't think US SS has an offset for other countries.

Other dependents may be eligible. From the web site I sent you earlier (didn't you read it?):

Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to:


A widow or widower -- full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60
A disabled widow or widower -- as early as age 50
A widow or widower at any age if he or she takes care of the deceased's child who is under age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits
Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending high school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren, or adopted children.
Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled.
Dependent parents age 62 or older

Other dependents may be eligible. From the web site I sent you earlier (didn't you read it?):

Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to:


A widow or widower -- full benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60
A disabled widow or widower -- as early as age 50
A widow or widower at any age if he or she takes care of the deceased's child who is under age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security benefits
Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 if they are attending high school full time. Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to stepchildren, grandchildren, or adopted children.
Children at any age who were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled.
Dependent parents age 62 or older


Yep, I just saw that too, thanks.:)

Sorry, I missed the dependent part. My bad.