Social Security Question

[npalen]

I just recently learned that a spouse can claim 50% of their partners social security payments even if they have never paid any into the SS sytem. This apparently has no affect on the partners payments.
I'm just wondering how many of you are aware of this.

 

[davrow]

1/2 of mine is more than hers would be, so we went that way. No problems. :thumbsup:

 

[mddorange]

The little wife worked for Civil Service all the years I was in the military so she didn't pay into SS then. So yes, she took 50% of my SS when she retired. When I pass on, she gets all of my SS and sure needs it because the military SBP is such a ripoff.

I thought it was something that as I was retiring from the military, I had to get her to sign off for me not to have to take SBP. I took it any way so that is taken directly out of MY retirement and if I out live her, that money is gone forever.

 

[turnkey4099]

The little wife worked for Civil Service all the years I was in the military so she didn't pay into SS then. So yes, she took 50% of my SS when she retired. When I pass on, she gets all of my SS and sure needs it because the military SBP is such a ripoff.

I thought it was something that as I was retiring from the military, I had to get her to sign off for me not to have to take SBP. I took it any way so that is taken directly out of MY retirement and if I out live her, that money is gone forever.

SBP is Sruvivor's Benefit Psomething, probably payment and should not be availabe until the partner dies...or at least that is what it was.

It is news to me that Civil Servants don't pay into SS, I sure did for 21 years.

 

[npalen]

I should have had my wife sign up for 50% of SS when I signed up five years ago but we only learned of this spousal benefit a couple days ago. We signed her up at a local SS office and were not made aware of this provision. Do we have any recourse after five years to recover the lost revenue? It's worth a top of the line cabbed 50 HP tractor.

 

[JerryK]

They receive either the SS they earned in their working lifetime or 1/2 the SS of the highest of any lifetime spouses.... whatever is higer... not necessarily the person they are married to now. My wife received 1/2 of mine until she died two years ago.

 

[mddorange]

SBP is Sruvivor's Benefit Psomething, probably payment and should not be availabe until the partner dies...or at least that is what it was.

It is news to me that Civil Servants don't pay into SS, I sure did for 21 years.

Yes, SBP is that for my wife, unless she dies first.

Now, Civil Service does pay SS but when my wife worked for them they did NOT.

 

[Travelover]

They receive either the SS they earned in their working lifetime or 1/2 the SS of the highest of any lifetime spouses.... whatever is higer... not necessarily the person they are married to now. My wife received 1/2 of mine until she died two years ago.

Not exactly true. If you remarry, you cannot claim half benefits of ex spouse. I guess you could divorce current spouse to become eligible to pick and choose which to claim spousal benefits on.

How Do Divorce and Remarriage Affect Social Security Benefits? | ElderLawAnswers

 

[kthompson]

There is some good info on the Social Security web site and for the government to find and understand to me.

For those not already aware most likely to be eligible for full payout at age 65.

 

[fishheadbob]

There is some good info on the Social Security web site and for the government to find and understand to me.

28 years working for SS. Every comment above is almost correct but the nightmare is that what may be correct in situation A doesn't apply in situation B. The Social Security Act is 80 years of exceptions, contradictions, and government logic taken to an extreme. Don't plan your finances for the rest of your life solely on what you read on the internet or hear from some bozo at the bar. Start with the SS website and go from there. Good luck, you'll need it.