Mr. Larry,
My father is 87 years old and a retired US citizen living in Guatemala city. He married in Guatemala to a Guatemalan citizen. His wife has never been to The US.
He was wondering if his wife is entitled to social security survival benefits.

Hi,

Probably not. While your father's wife could likely technically qualify for spousal or survivor benefits on your father's record, there is an alien non-payment provision that would likely prevent her from actually being paid any benefits. There are exceptions to the alien non-payment provision (https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0302610010), but it doesn't sound like your father's wife meets any of them.

Best, Jerry