Social Security Benefit for Resident Alien

My wife is German, but is a resident alien of the US. Will she be entitled to a Social Security benefit even though she has not worked in the US?

FedSmith.com author John GrobeBy Categories Q&A Leave a comment

Q: My wife is German, but is a resident alien of the US. We are currrently assigned in Germany. Will my wife be entitled to a Social Security benefit even though she has not worked in the US? Does it matter where I retire (German or USA)?

A: I double checked the Social Security Handbook to be sure of this answer.  As your wife, she will be entitled to a spousal benefit based on your earnings record, regardless of whether or not she is an American citizen.  Social Security benefits are payable overseas.

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John Grobe is President of Federal Career Experts, a firm that provides pre-retirement training and seminars to a wide variety of federal agencies. FCE’s instructors are all retired federal retirement specialists who educate class participants on the ins and outs of federal retirement and benefits; there is never an attempt to influence participants to invest a certain way, or to purchase any financial products. John and FCE specialize in retirement for special category employees, such as law enforcement officers.

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