Full question: I, the beneficiary, am eligible to receive a part of my deceased husband’s UK widow’s clergy pension. Will it affect my survivor Social Security benefit?. Hello, No, it will not for two reasons. If you are collecting a pension benefit based on someone else’s earnings (your husband), the Government Pension Offset (GPO) rule…

Full question: Prior to becoming a US citizen I lived and worked in the UK and paid National Insurance contributions. My husband passed away after we had been living in the US for a number of years and I receive survivor benefits (at age 63). At FRA I think I would qualify for a UK…

Full question: I am collecting my deceased spouse’s benefits and I am eligible for a UK state pension and a UK teaching pension. How will these pensions apply or not apply to me? Thank you very much. Hello, There are two rules related to pensions and Social Security and they affect Social Security benefits in…

Full question: I am 72 and never claimed Social Security as I did not pay into it long enough. Can I claim on my wife’s Social Security? She was born December 1958 and I now live in Canada. Hello, Yes, you are eligible to claim a spousal benefit based on your wife’s earnings record, if…

Full question: My wife is from Poland. She has a pension from ZUS. She is 68 and retired. She currently receives a small social security check. Will her spousal benefits be reduced by Social Security GPO? Hello, Yes, she will still qualify for full Social Security spousal benefits; her foreign pension will have no bearing…

Hi, Yes, you still qualify for full Social Security spousal benefits; your foreign pension will have no bearing on your eligibility for spousal benefits. Foreign pensions are not considered as government pensions for purposes of the GPO provision, as specified in the first bullet of Section B, Payments That Are Not Pensions For GPO, in…