Dear paternostrum:
Since your marriage has lasted more than 10 years, your wife, whether
or not you were to become divorced, will be eligible for full Social
Security benefits at approximately age 65. Because she was born after
1940, she will have to wait slightly longer than precisely turning 65
to receive full benefits. Her benefits will be based on your Social
Security record.
Please review the following information I obtained from the Social
Security Administration's web site.
Sincerely,
Wonko
"Who Can Get Survivors Benefits?
When you die, Social Security survivors benefits can be paid to your:
- widow or widower?full benefits at 65 or older (if born before 1940)
or reduced benefits as early as age 60. (The age for receiving full
benefits gradually increases for persons born after 1939 until it
reaches age 67 for persons born in 1962 and later.) A disabled widow
or widower can get benefits at 50-60. The surviving spouse's benefits
may be reduced if he or she also receives a pension from a job where
Social Security taxes were not withheld. For more information, call us
to ask for the factsheet Government Pension Offset (Publication No.
05-10007);
- widow or widower at any age if she or he takes care of your child
under 16 or disabled who get benefits;"
"Special One-Time Death Benefit
There is a special one-time payment of $255 that can be made when you
die if you have enough work "credits." This payment can be made only
to your spouse or minor children if they meet certain requirements.
Benefits for Surviving Divorced Spouses
If you've been divorced, your former wife or husband can get benefits
under the same circumstances as your widow or widower if your marriage
lasted 10 years or more. Your former spouse, however, does not have to
meet the length-of-marriage rule if she or he is caring for your child
who is under 16 or disabled and who is also getting benefits on your
Social Security record. The child must be your former spouse's natural
or legally adopted child.
Benefits paid to a surviving divorced spouse who is age 60 or older
(50-60 if disabled) will not affect the benefit rates for other
survivors getting benefits."
"Survivors Benefits" Social Security Online http://www.ssa.gov/gethelp1.htm
"How divorce affects your future retirement benefits
If you are divorced after at least 10 years of marriage, you can
collect retirement benefits on your former spouse's Social Security
record if you are at least age 62 and if your former spouse is
entitled to or receiving benefits. If you remarry, you generally
cannot collect benefits on your former spouse's record unless your
later marriage ends (whether by death, divorce, or annulment).
How divorce affects survivors benefits
If your divorced spouse dies, you can receive benefits as a
widow/widower if the marriage lasted 10 years or more. Benefits paid
to a surviving divorced spouse who is 60 or older will not affect the
benefit rates for other survivors receiving benefits.
How remarriage affects survivors benefits
In general, you cannot receive survivors benefits if you remarry
before the age of 60 unless the latter marriage ends, whether by
death, divorce, or annulment. If you remarry after age 60 (50 if
disabled), you can still collect benefits on your former spouse?s
record. When you reach age 62 or older, you may get retirement
benefits on the record of your new spouse if they are higher. Your
remarriage would have no effect on the benefits being paid to your
children."
"Marriage, Divorce and Name Changes" Social Security Online
http://www.ssa.gov/gethelp1.htm
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