I am a US citizen who was a housewife for many years. My Japanese ex-husband worked in both Switzerland and Japan. Can you advise me on whether (and when) I can get social security benefits from either or both these countries – and whether that could impact the amount I am eligible for under my own SS account?

Hi. I don't know whether or not you might be eligible for benefits based on your ex-husband's earnings outside of the U.S., but if you are, it would have no effect on any U.S. Social Security benefits for which you may be eligible.

By the way, the U.S. Social Security program has totalization agreements with both Japan and Switzerland, so you can apply for Social Security benefits from those countries at U.S. Social Security offices. For more information about the eligibility requirements for benefits from Japan and Switzerland, refer to the following Social Security websites: https://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/japan.html & https://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/switzrld.html.

Best, Jerry