Citizenship and Social Security

[Walley 0]

Hi Everyone,

In a couple of weeks I will have my N-400 interview. While waiting I met a couple of permanent residents who have been here for years, working and dutifully paying all obligations to the goverment including social security contributions.

Scenario: Lawful permanent residents, working all their lives since they were here, paying taxes, contributed to SS and all other obligations. Have no desire filing for citizenship.

Question: What if something happens to them and not able to work? Can they have access to social security benefits even if they are not citizens? How important is citizenship?

I read somewhere that even US citizens who do not contribute to SS are not eligible for SS benefits, (with exception). I am kind of lost here, if a permanent resident pays into SS shouldn't he/she be eligible for benefits?

Thanks in advance for your insights.

Walley

[YuAndDan 153]

LPR's are eligable for SSA benifits just like citizens. However if they retire abroad SSA benift is only half.

Here is a list I found:

1. A Citizen Can Vote

   A citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government.

2. Dual Citizenship

   Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize "dual citizenship" permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport.

3. Citizens Can Bring More Relatives From Abroad, More Quickly

   Citizens can petition for a wider variety of family members to come to the US as permanent residents. They also have much shorter waiting times for green cards, and no limits.

4. Citizens Cannot be Deported

   Most of us never expect to commit a crime, but if we are the victims of circumstance, in the wrong place at the wrong time, as citizens, we cannot be deported. We also don't need to worry about a lost green card or too-long stay outside the US preventing us from re-entering.

5. Citizens Can Retire Abroad With Full Social Security Benefits

   Citizens who retire abroad get all their Social Security benefits. Green card holders only get half of the benefits they earned.

6. Citizens are Entitled to More Public Benefits

   Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, as well as certain academic scholarships and financial aid.

7. A US Citizen Can Hold Office and Have More Job Opportunities

   Only a citizen has the right to hold an elected position in most city, state or federal offices. Many federal, state and city jobs also require citizenship.

8. Adopted or Natural Children Under 18 May be Naturalized Automatically

   Depending on the circumstances, children born abroad, who are under 18 years of age and unmarried may be able to naturalize automatically when a parent does so.

9. Citizens Have More Financial and Tax Benefits

   Citizens often receive approval on loans andmortgages more easily, and/or they get better rates, because the lender knows there is less chance they will defect. Citizens are often subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes as well.

10. Citizens Don't Have to Worry About Renewing a Green Card Every 10 Years

    We have enough to worry about with passports and other paperwork. As citizens, we don't have to worry about renewing a green cards every ten years.

http://immigration.about.com/od/whybecomea...0CitizenBen.htm

[Walley 0]

LPR's are eligable for SSA benifits just like citizens. However if they retire abroad SSA benift is only half.

Here is a list I found:

1. A Citizen Can Vote

   A citizen has the right to vote for elected officials at the federal, state and local levels who shape the policy of the government.

2. Dual Citizenship

   Certain countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, recognize "dual citizenship" permitting naturalized U.S. citizens to maintain their citizenship of birth and original passport.

3. Citizens Can Bring More Relatives From Abroad, More Quickly

   Citizens can petition for a wider variety of family members to come to the US as permanent residents. They also have much shorter waiting times for green cards, and no limits.

4. Citizens Cannot be Deported

   Most of us never expect to commit a crime, but if we are the victims of circumstance, in the wrong place at the wrong time, as citizens, we cannot be deported. We also don't need to worry about a lost green card or too-long stay outside the US preventing us from re-entering.

5. Citizens Can Retire Abroad With Full Social Security Benefits

   Citizens who retire abroad get all their Social Security benefits. Green card holders only get half of the benefits they earned.

6. Citizens are Entitled to More Public Benefits

   Citizens are eligible for more public benefits, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Food Stamps, as well as certain academic scholarships and financial aid.

7. A US Citizen Can Hold Office and Have More Job Opportunities

   Only a citizen has the right to hold an elected position in most city, state or federal offices. Many federal, state and city jobs also require citizenship.

8. Adopted or Natural Children Under 18 May be Naturalized Automatically

   Depending on the circumstances, children born abroad, who are under 18 years of age and unmarried may be able to naturalize automatically when a parent does so.

9. Citizens Have More Financial and Tax Benefits

   Citizens often receive approval on loans andmortgages more easily, and/or they get better rates, because the lender knows there is less chance they will defect. Citizens are often subject to fewer restrictions on estate taxes as well.

10. Citizens Don't Have to Worry About Renewing a Green Card Every 10 Years

    We have enough to worry about with passports and other paperwork. As citizens, we don't have to worry about renewing a green cards every ten years.

http://immigration.about.com/od/whybecomea...0CitizenBen.htm

YuAndDan,

Thank you so much for the quick and very informative reply

Take care,

Walley

[NickD 202]

Not reading anything about trying to maintain a foreign passport if you want to travel. Here in the USA, may only be 2 or 3 foreign consulates to go to, and have to be there in person to renew your foreign passport, if they would even renew it. Why should they, you are not living in that country anymore, you traitor!

That can be very expensive and time consuming, unless you live across the street from one.

If you wake up in the middle of the night to use the washroom, don't have to search for that green card, if you interpret the law as it is written, Must carry that card with you wherever you go!

And you can remove that AR-11 and green card renewal form from you refrigerator door, sure in the hell don't want to forget, can get deported if you don't.

Wife likes being a USC, doesn't feel second class anymore, just like any other idiot that was born here. Not easy to be subservient to idiots, but as a green card holder, you are.

[YuAndDan 153]

Not reading anything about trying to maintain a foreign passport if you want to travel. Here in the USA, may only be 2 or 3 foreign consulates to go to, and have to be there in person to renew your foreign passport, if they would even renew it. Why should they, you are not living in that country anymore, you traitor!

That can be very expensive and time consuming, unless you live across the street from one.

If you wake up in the middle of the night to use the washroom, don't have to search for that green card, if you interpret the law as it is written, Must carry that card with you wherever you go!

And you can remove that AR-11 and green card renewal form from you refrigerator door, sure in the hell don't want to forget, can get deported if you don't.

Wife likes being a USC, doesn't feel second class anymore, just like any other idiot that was born here. Not easy to be subservient to idiots, but as a green card holder, you are.

Exactly, this is a reason a co-worker's husband naturalized, seems his Greek passport was only valid for a year or so and anytime they wanted to travel home they first would have to travel to NEW YORK CITY to nearest consulate, PAIN and EXPENSIVE. He naturalized for the 10 year USA passport.