Ask Larry

Category: Spouse not a US citizen.
My wife is a German citizen and her green card expired. We have been married since Sept. 9, 1980. We live together in Germany since my retirement from the US Army. I am 68 years old and she is 66 years old now. Does she qualify for half of my Social Security even if she has never been employed in the US since we were married? She is collecting health care and a retirement benefits from Germany.
Will the SSA automatically take out a Medicare payment from her benefit?
Thanks for your help!

Hi. It certainly sounds like your wife could qualify for Social Security spousal benefits from the U.S.. Since the U.S. has a totalization agreement with Germany, German citizens and residents can be paid any U.S. Social Security benefits for which they qualify.

Your wife will need to apply for spousal benefits, though, in order to become entitled. She should be able to apply at a any German Social Security office (https://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/germany.html#claims).

Your wife will be automatically enrolled in Part A of Medicare if she applies for spousal benefits, but that would be premium free based on your Social Security insured status. She can decline enrollment in the optional parts of Medicare that require a fee.

Best, Jerry