wait to apply for green card New spouse has to go home after marrying

[Angela & Paul 12]

53 minutes ago, Mike E said:

Nah, won’t be doing that.  
 

https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/ifyou.html#h0
 

“If you already receive benefits as a spouse, your benefit will automatically convert to survivors benefits after we receive the report of death.”

 

https://www.newyorklife.com/articles/make-the-most-of-social-security-benefits

 

“In general, it makes sense for the spouse with the larger Social Security benefit to delay claiming up until age 70 to maximize the household’s retirement benefit.”

We will likely follow the rest of the advise. Me take benefits at age 70, and my wife take benefits at age 62 … her benefit will be 50 percent of mine.  

 

Taking out a new life insurance policy on a 61 year old is likely  to be prohibitive.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You forgot to quote the important statement (from the same SSA page)

Who receives benefits?

Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including:

• A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if they have a disability).

I’m in the midst of applying for benefits and I asked that question to the SS rep yesterday and he confirmed the 60-year of age requirement. If I die next year, my wife will not get benefits for another 10 years!!! Welcome to America!

And yes, life insurance might be prohibitive  but then the spouse might be penniless for a while without it. Best thing to do is for the surviving spouse to work until 60 or early retirement age at 62 (on her own benefits) or retirement age (67 now) or for max benefits (70) IF she would get more than the survivor benefits. It all depends on her work pay,  how many years she worked, same for the spouse.

[Mike E 11,742]

1 minute ago, Angela & Paul said:

I’m in the midst of applying for benefits and I asked that question to the SS rep yesterday and he confirmed the 60-year of age requirement. If I die next year, my wife will not get benefits for another 10 years!!! 

Never suggested otherwise.  I’m out.  

[Redro 4,611]

18 minutes ago, Angela & Paul said:

You forgot to quote the important statement (from the same SSA page)

Who receives benefits?

Certain family members may be eligible to receive monthly benefits, including:

• A widow or widower age 60 or older (age 50 or older if they have a disability).

I’m in the midst of applying for benefits and I asked that question to the SS rep yesterday and he confirmed the 60-year of age requirement. If I die next year, my wife will not get benefits for another 10 years!!! Welcome to America!

And yes, life insurance might be prohibitive  but then the spouse might be penniless for a while without it. Best thing to do is for the surviving spouse to work until 60 or early retirement age at 62 (on her own benefits) or retirement age (67 now) or for max benefits (70) IF she would get more than the survivor benefits. It all depends on her work pay,  how many years she worked, same for the spouse.

But when and how are you planning on getting married?

Did you tell the SS rep yesterday your partner is a foreign national, and you haven't married yet and your partner is a non-resident alien with no social security number?

 

[TBoneTX 45,872]

The OP hasn't returned since August 22.

[Angela & Paul 12]

18 minutes ago, ROK2USA said:

But when and how are you planning on getting married?

Did you tell the SS rep yesterday your partner is a foreign national, and you haven't married yet and your partner is a non-resident alien with no social security number?

 

I was talking about my case, we’re married and have been for over 10 years now. 
A spouse is eligible for SS benefits, unmarried partner is not, with exceptions.

Once married, the foreign spouse is a resident, has a social security number and is eligible for the husband SS benefits s long as the requirements are met (age is one of them).

[Redro 4,611]

2 minutes ago, Angela & Paul said:

I was talking about my case, we’re married and have been for over 10 years now. 
A spouse is eligible for SS benefits, unmarried partner is not, with exceptions.

Once married, the foreign spouse is a resident, has a social security number and is eligible for the husband SS benefits s long as the requirements are met (age is one of them).

I thought you were the OP. Your situation is not the same as his.