Ask Larry

Could Our Getting Married Affect My Husband's Benefits?

Hello, my man is a US citizen, he is 64 years old and he is on ss benefits. I am a citizen of the Russian Federation I am 32 years old and I do not work. Can our merriage affect on his s.s. benefits?

Hi,

I'd need to know what type of Social Security benefits your husband-to-be is drawing in order to give you a definitive answer. But, if he's getting retirement benefits based on his own work record or survivor benefits on the record of a deceased spouse or ex-spouse, then a marriage would have no effect on his benefits. The fact that you aren't a U.S. citizen is irrelevant with respect to his benefits, but could prevent you from being able to draw Social Security benefits on your new husband's record.

The most common types of benefits that can be terminated due to a marriage are divorced spousal benefits on the record of a living ex-spouse, and disabled adult child's benefits on the record of a parent.

Best, Jerry

Category: 
Posted: 
Aug 26 2018 - 4:15pm
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