Contemplating Moving Back To The US - Figuring Things Out For Gift

In this video I talk about why I contemplated moving back to the US.  while more research needs to be done, below is the info that I found on the Internet about survivor, Social Security benefits for non-US citizens living abroad.

Your foreign spouse may be eligible to collect Social Security survivor benefits, even if she has never lived in the United States
2. Residency and Citizenship: A foreign spouse who has never lived in the U.S. can receive survivor benefits if they meet one of these criteria:
• They are a citizen or resident of a country with a Social Security agreement (treaty) with the U.S., such as Canada, the UK, Australia, or many European countries. These agreements allow benefits to be paid without restriction.

If they are not a citizen of a treaty country, they may still receive benefits if they reside in a country where the U.S. can send payments.

3. The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) can send payments to most countries, but there are exceptions.
4. Payment Process: Your spouse will need to apply for survivor benefits through the SSA, typically by contacting the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in their country. They’ll need to provide documentation, such as your death certificate, marriage certificate, and proof of their identity and age.

If you are already receiving Social Security retirement benefits when you pass away, your wife, as a Thai citizen living in Thailand, could receive the same monthly amount you were receiving, assuming she claims the survivor benefit at her full retirement age (typically 66–67, depending on her birth year).

If she claims earlier (e.g., at age 60), the benefit would be reduced (as low as 71.5% of your benefit, depending on her age).

3. Residency in Thailand:
• As previously noted, Thailand is not a restricted country, so she can receive payments there. The lack of a U.S.-Thailand Social Security agreement does not prevent her from receiving your full benefit amount, as long as she meets other eligibility criteria.

• Your Benefit Status: If your benefit was reduced because you claimed Social Security before your full retirement age, your wife’s survivor benefit would be based on that reduced amount (unless you were entitled to a higher amount at death).

• If she claims at age 60, the benefit might be reduced.
• When your wife turns 60, she should contact the SSA via the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok (+66-2-205-4000), the Consulate in Chiang Mai, or the SSA’s international line (+1-410-965-0160) to apply.
• She’ll need to provide:
• Your death certificate.
• Your marriage certificate.
• Her Thai passport or ID proving her age.
• She should confirm payment delivery (e.g., direct deposit to a Thai bank) and discuss tax withholding options.
For precise details on the benefit amount, she can request an estimate from the SSA based on your Social Security record. Visit https://www.ssa.gov/international/pay... for more information.


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