If you marry a non-US citizen, a common reason why one may retire abroad, it is always a major concern to make sure your loved ones are taken care of. If you (U.S. citizen), were to unfortunately pass away, these are examples of the benefits that survivors may receive:
There is a general rule that for any spouse who is a non-US citizen or Green card holder, social security payments may cease if the spouse is outside of the U.S for 6 or more consecutive months. The devil is in the details, however, as there are exceptions to this rule, and having a firm grasp on these exceptions will allow your surviving non-US spouse to live peacefully, where they please.
The following table assumes that the spouse is of full retirement age and the U.S. worker (you) receives social security benefits.
Spouse is a citizen of (not necessarily a resident of) | Spouse is a resident (not necessarily citizen) of |
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom - no further requirements. | |
| Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom |
Not citizen or resident of the countries above - but foreign spouse lived together with you in the U.S for at least five years while married (not necessarily continuously) | Not citizen or resident of the countries above - but foreign spouse lived together with you in the U.S for at least five years while married (not necessarily continuously) |
If you were to unfortunately pass away, your foreign widow/widower may receive survivor benefits from social security if the requirements above are met and they did not remarry.
Reduced benefits are available as early as age 60 (if not disabled) - or full benefits at full retirement age or older. If they are not a citizen or resident of the countries listed above, and have not initially met the five-year residency requirement, they can relocate to the U.S. after being widowed to complete thes residency requirement and subsequently qualify for Social Security Benefits.