Will my foreign pension lower my American Social Security benefits? What about my spousal benefits?
Full question: If my spousal SS benefit is higher than SS benefit based on own contribution (> 40 credit) would a foreign pension of a country with a totalization agreement lower US social security benefits? Hi, That is a great question. Generally speaking, foreign pensions do not affect Social Security spousal and survivor dependent benefits….
Read MoreCan I receive a spousal benefit if I have a German pension?
Full question: I am English and live and work in Germany. I was married to a US citizen for 33 years. Will I be entitled to 50% if his social security when I retire at 67 ( 7 years from now) . I will receive a Small German Pension based on my mandatory contributions. Hi…
Read MoreMy wife filed for spousal benefits, but our address is in Germany. What should I do?
Full question: My wife and I filed for her Spousal Benefit from our address in Germany (She is a German citizen). I am back in the USA for a period of time, and want to take her very difficult to replace Birth Certificate in to an SSA office. The initial claim for her benefits was…
Read MoreI received an overpayment and now owe the SSA money. How is this fair?
Full question: (I am an American citizen) Is it fair that I paid into Social Security and obeyed the rules while working in the USA until I came to Portugal and began working here where I then paid into Social Security here and obeyed all the rules? My pension original pension from the states was…
Read MoreI live in Australia. Will the WEP rule apply to my pension?
Full question: Hi Martha. I have tried the WEP screening tool, but it refers to a totalization agreement that confuses me. Asking this question so I can perhaps talk to a WEP expert in a consultation. I wish to know if the section on this document entitled: “Payments which cannot be used to apply WEP…
Read MoreCan my spouse collect spousal benefits if I am collecting a non-covered foreign pension and U.S. Social Security?
Full question: Having worked 32 years France and 7 years in the US, I am getting small US Social Security benefits ($600) and my foreign pension from France. Can my wife apply for SSA benefits as a spouse (which means she could get up to 50% my benefits, or $300), and would my French pension…
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