is it illegal to marry someone for their social security benefits

Hi,

No, but you can't be paid someone else's Social Security benefits just because you marry them. You could, however, potentially become eligible for Social Security spousal or survivor benefits based on the work record of your spouse if you meet all of the requirements for benefits (https://www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/applying6.html).

Best, Jerry

Can my non resident spouse get a social security number so as to be on my family health insurance plan

Hi,

If you mean that your spouse is a non U.S. resident and non citizen, then the answer is probably no. You must normally be a U.S. citizen or resident alien authorized to work in the U.S. in order to be issued a Social Security number. For more information, refer to the following Social Security publication: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf.

Best, Jerry

I am not drawing Social Security, In the year of completing a 401K to Roth conversion, I understand that federal taxes are due but will the other FICA taxes ( Social Security & medicare) also be applied ?

Hi,

Larry,

I am considering applying for dual citizenship with another country. I receive SSDI and have Medicare. Will I lose my benefits if I become a dual citizen? Thank you for your help!

Hi,

No, as long as you retain your U.S. citizenship a dual citizenship would not adversely affect your benefits.

Best, Jerry

I want to retire at my age now which is 56 and work part time only.

Hi,

That's up to you, but you couldn't qualify for any Social Security benefits at your age unless you're disabled. You may want to consider using our software to determine what effect shifting to part-time earnings will have on your future Social Security benefit rate.

Best, Jerry

I recently turned 70 and March 2019 was my first month to draw on my earnings...For some reason I received my social security which was 1391...with a 135.50 Medicare deducted from it and also a 75.10 deduction for taxes.. so my payment came to 1168.10. They also sent me a payment of 997.90 which is what I have been receiving as a spousal benefit. I am confused about still receiving the spousal benefit I thought when I started drawing on my own at 70 I would not receive the 997.

My wife passed away November 1, 2018. We'd been married since valentine's day 1975.
I went into s.s. office Nov 26, 2018 to enquire about her final check, as it had not shown up in our account. She was entitled to that (October) payment because she had lived till November 1.
For 5 months now, I have been getting the runaround and delay like I've never seen before.
At 1st it was 'you'll receive the payment in 15 days.
15 days later and another hours wait on the phone it became 30 days, and I kept hearing 30 days for 5 months now.

I am 65 and my fiance is 47. If I marry him before I turn 66 will I lose my SS benefit?

Hi,

Getting married would have no effect on your own Social Security retirement or disability benefits, nor does a marriage after age 60 affect widow's or surviving divorced spousal benefits. However, if you're receiving divorced spousal benefits on a living ex-spouse's record or disabled adult child's benefits on a parent's record, then a remarriage would terminate your eligibility unless you meet one of the limited exceptions.

Best, Jerry

Hi,

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I’m in need of your help, I need to know what to do to stop this travesty! In Detroit Michigan, the Social Security Administration CALLS PEOPLE AT THEIR HOMES prior to them reaching 62, and informs them that they need to come in and apply for SS Benefits. That in itself is cruel but when they come in SS signs them up to receive their spouses benefits which reduces their benefit amount more than if they had taken theirs at their reduced rate. How do I know this, I went down with my cousin to a social security office to ask why? 1.