Like many US expats living overseas who qualify for Social Security benefits, many questions arise, especially when a non-citizen spouse is involved in the picture. So is your non-US spouse eligible for spousal benefits?

In most cases, the answer is yes; but the requirements are complicated and they change depending on which country you may live in. For the purpose of this article, we will focus on US expats living in Israel with a non-US spouse. These benefits are very much worth claiming, especially considering that the recent 2023 cost of living adjustment has raised benefits by 2.5%!

Before we get started, we’ve written these blogs about moving to and living in Israel which you may enjoy.

What to do when you get kicked out of your US brokerage account

Can one use a US Power of Attorney in Israel, (and vice versa)?

Immigrating to Israel

A guide to retiring in Israel

A guide to investing abroad

Israel expat case studies

Social Security for expats

Financial planning for US citizens living abroad

Why US Expats should look before they leap into a Roth 401k

Compliance with reporting of foreign assets: tips for US expats to avoid stress

And now let’s get into the blog!

So, what are the Requirements?

For your non-US spouse to be eligible for spousal benefits while living in Israel, you must meet the following criteria as a couple:

Firstly, your non-US spouse is eligible to receive spousal benefits if they were a resident of the US for at least five consecutive years whilst married to you. In the case of divorce, the five-year rule applies only if the spouse has not remarried before the age of 60. If not, the following applies:

1. You (not your spouse) must have contributed to Social Security for at least 10 years.
2. You and your spouse must both be at retirement age.
3. You must be an Israeli citizen. Unlike other countries, one must be an Israeli citizen for their Israeli spouse to receive benefits, even if you are not residing in Israel at that time.

Does This Also Apply to Survivor Benefits?

If you pass away, your non-US spouse is entitled to Social Security survivor benefits!  To be eligible, you and your non-US spouse must have been married for a minimum of 9 months. The only exception to this rule is if you were to pass away in active military duty, in which case the minimum is waived completely.

Your spouse can begin claiming Social Security spousal benefits when they reach the age of 60. This applies unless your spouse in disabled; in which case the age minimum is lowered to 50. If you have a disabled child, the minimum is waived entirely.

It’s important to keep in mind that if your spouse begins collecting at the minimum age, they will only be able to claim 70% of their benefit, with full payments being claimed only when said spouse reaches retirement age.

In Conclusion

Navigating Social Security spousal benefits is a confusing and challenging endeavor, especially as a US expat living in Israel.

We are expat financial advisors located in Israel and the US, serving expats globally.

If you are moving to Israel or another country and don’t know where to start when it comes to the financial side of things, or hold US or foreign assets and need help figuring out your retirement as an expat, please contact us.

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Disclaimer

Nardis Advisors LLC (“Nardis”) is a Registered Investment Advisory Firm regulated by the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance and compliance with applicable securities laws and regulations. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Nardis does not render or offer to render personalized investment advice through this medium. The information provided herein is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment or legal advice. Investment advice can only be rendered after delivery of the Firm’s disclosure statement (Form ADV Part 2) and execution of an investment advisory agreement between the client and Nardis.

Sources:

Greenback Expat Tax Services. 2024, March 8^th. Can a Foreign Spouse Receive Social Security Benefits?

https://www.greenbacktaxservices.com/blog/social-security-will-non-us-spouse-lose-benefits

Kennedy, Hannah. 2023, May 8^th. Creative Planning. Social Security Benefits for Non-U.S. Citizens Living Abroad. https://creativeplanning.com/international/insights/financial-planning/foreign-spouse-social-security/