Thread: What are the requirements for a survivor to receive Social Security benefits?

We are US naturalized citizens. We are US tax payers. We are in our late 60s and have been working since the age of young 20s. We were married in our native country. If a spouse dies, will the surviving spouse entitle to receive the social security benefits for the fact that the spouses were not married in the US but are US naturalized citizens?

Not sure about the "naturalized" part---

But when a spouse dies, you get a one time payment of about $300

Now, if you want your spouse's benefits--- say for instance they are higher amounts and you have been married for at least 10 years---you can apply for those, BUT you will only get your spouse's benefits--not yours and your spouse's.

In other words-- you can't get BOTH yours and your spouse's. Just one.

If you can file a joint tax return then the US government considers you to be married. I do know the US accepts foreign marriages as valid UNLESS there are multiple marriages.

I'm pretty sure that spouses do not get survivors benefits ... but a spouse can get one half of the benefits that the other spouse would get IF that spouse did not work and earn their own benefits.

The only survivors benefits that I know of are for dependent children.

For the correct answer, please call your local SS office or the 1-800 number in your phone book. You need not give your name when you call. Personally, I think the surviving spouse is entitled to benefits, but I'm not totally sure.