Widow of deceased former US Naval Officer

[Na Fan]

Hello

 

Our neighbor, after being married for 27 years, is now a widow after her husband passed away after a fairly long illness. They never talked about what happens if that day should come, and towards the end he was less and less coherent. She is now at risk of losing everything and ending up in the streets with nowhere to go. She has no idea what to do and if there is any inheritance, or pension she is eligible for, or anything else for that matter. She is Thai and has never lived in the US.

 

What is a good starting point for her to look into what her options, if any, could be? She doesn't have liquid funds to pay for expensive lawyers and things like that. She has barely enough left for food.

 

I'm not a US citizen, so I have also not really any idea how this all works, and what things are out there.

 

Any ideas, tips, pointers would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

[CharlieH]

The US Embassy might be a good place to get guidance.

[bunnydrops]

If she was legally married, she is entitled to some, if not all, of his Social Security payments. If he didn't leave a will, it will take some time to receive any assets he may have had.

[bunnydrops]

Didn't they have a house or a car in her name?

[Presnock]

15 minutes ago, Na Fan said:

Hello

 

Our neighbor, after being married for 27 years, is now a widow after her husband passed away after a fairly long illness. They never talked about what happens if that day should come, and towards the end he was less and less coherent. She is now at risk of losing everything and ending up in the streets with nowhere to go. She has no idea what to do and if there is any inheritance, or pension she is eligible for, or anything else for that matter. She is Thai and has never lived in the US.

 

What is a good starting point for her to look into what her options, if any, could be? She doesn't have liquid funds to pay for expensive lawyers and things like that. She has barely enough left for food.

 

I'm not a US citizen, so I have also not really any idea how this all works, and what things are out there.

 

Any ideas, tips, pointers would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

was the husband retired and drawing a pension or social security?  If so then there should be some paperwork there at their residence.  The embassy might not know anything about him.  My Thai wife is aware of my pension and the resulting annutiy that she will receive upon my demise.  I get an annual annuity breakdown which specifies exactly how much she would receive monthly when I do pass away.  Does his wife even understand what is required upon the death of a foreigner?  Embassy has an answer to that and what is required in Thailand when that happens.  Anyway, my condolences to her and any family/friends he might have had.  Hope she is taken care of...

[jas007]

It's entirely possible that, if she was a surviving spouse of a retired military member drawing both a military pension and social security, she would be entitled to certain benefits under each type of retirement plan.

 

For the surviving spouse of a retired military member:

    •    Eligibility: Surviving spouses may qualify for DIC if the veteran’s death was service-connected or if the veteran was receiving a permanent total disability rating for at least 10 years prior to death. The veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
    •    Benefits: DIC provides a monthly tax-free benefit to eligible survivors, which is designed to help with living expenses.
2. Survivors Pension
    •    Eligibility: This benefit is available to low-income, un-remarried surviving spouses of wartime veterans who meet certain service requirements. The veteran must have served at least 90 days on active duty during a wartime period or have served a minimum of 24 months.
    •    Benefits: The Survivors Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit that can help cover basic living expenses.
3. Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)
    •    Overview: The SBP provides a continuous lifetime annuity to surviving spouses after the retiree’s death. Retired service members can allocate a portion of their retirement pay to this plan, ensuring financial support for their spouse.
    •    Benefits: The annuity typically amounts to 55% of the deceased member’s retired pay and is available for life unless the spouse remarries before age 55, which suspends eligibility.
4. Social Security Survivor Benefits
    •    Eligibility: If the deceased service member had sufficient work credits under Social Security, the surviving spouse may be eligible for benefits based on the deceased’s earnings record. This includes benefits for spouses caring for dependent children or those over age 60.
    •    Benefits: Monthly payments can assist with living costs, especially if the surviving spouse is caring for minor children.
5. Additional Benefits
    •    Burial Benefits: Surviving spouses may receive assistance with burial costs and related expenses through VA programs.
    •    Health Care and Life Insurance: Eligible surviving spouses can access health care services through the VA and may qualify for life insurance benefits depending on the veteran’s coverage.
These benefits are designed to provide financial stability and support to surviving spouses as they navigate life after the loss of their military partner. It is advisable for survivors to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs or relevant military benefit offices to understand their eligibility and apply for these benefits effectively.

 

Anyway, there's probably something there, so the should perhaps contact both the department paying the military retirement (if that's what he was getting) and the Social Security Administration. 

 

She will likely need to prove that she was married an. for how long, and will need a death certificate and so on. 

[chickenslegs]

This link may be helpful

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/veterans-affairs/

[Smokin Joe]

3 hours ago, Na Fan said:

Hello

 

Our neighbor, after being married for 27 years, is now a widow after her husband passed away after a fairly long illness. They never talked about what happens if that day should come, and towards the end he was less and less coherent. She is now at risk of losing everything and ending up in the streets with nowhere to go. She has no idea what to do and if there is any inheritance, or pension she is eligible for, or anything else for that matter. She is Thai and has never lived in the US.

 

What is a good starting point for her to look into what her options, if any, could be? She doesn't have liquid funds to pay for expensive lawyers and things like that. She has barely enough left for food.

 

I'm not a US citizen, so I have also not really any idea how this all works, and what things are out there.

 

Any ideas, tips, pointers would be greatly appreciated!

 

 

 

I would suggest contacting the nearest VFW Post. They have Service Officers that deal with this kind of stuff. It is not necessary that the veteran was a member of the post.

 

 

https://oms.vfw.org/findapost/foreign.aspx

[Presnock]

3 hours ago, jas007 said:

It's entirely possible that, if she was a surviving spouse of a retired military member drawing both a military pension and social security, she would be entitled to certain benefits under each type of retirement plan.

 

For the surviving spouse of a retired military member:

    •    Eligibility: Surviving spouses may qualify for DIC if the veteran’s death was service-connected or if the veteran was receiving a permanent total disability rating for at least 10 years prior to death. The veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
    •    Benefits: DIC provides a monthly tax-free benefit to eligible survivors, which is designed to help with living expenses.
2. Survivors Pension
    •    Eligibility: This benefit is available to low-income, un-remarried surviving spouses of wartime veterans who meet certain service requirements. The veteran must have served at least 90 days on active duty during a wartime period or have served a minimum of 24 months.
    •    Benefits: The Survivors Pension is a tax-free monetary benefit that can help cover basic living expenses.
3. Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)
    •    Overview: The SBP provides a continuous lifetime annuity to surviving spouses after the retiree’s death. Retired service members can allocate a portion of their retirement pay to this plan, ensuring financial support for their spouse.
    •    Benefits: The annuity typically amounts to 55% of the deceased member’s retired pay and is available for life unless the spouse remarries before age 55, which suspends eligibility.
4. Social Security Survivor Benefits
    •    Eligibility: If the deceased service member had sufficient work credits under Social Security, the surviving spouse may be eligible for benefits based on the deceased’s earnings record. This includes benefits for spouses caring for dependent children or those over age 60.
    •    Benefits: Monthly payments can assist with living costs, especially if the surviving spouse is caring for minor children.
5. Additional Benefits
    •    Burial Benefits: Surviving spouses may receive assistance with burial costs and related expenses through VA programs.
    •    Health Care and Life Insurance: Eligible surviving spouses can access health care services through the VA and may qualify for life insurance benefits depending on the veteran’s coverage.
These benefits are designed to provide financial stability and support to surviving spouses as they navigate life after the loss of their military partner. It is advisable for survivors to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs or relevant military benefit offices to understand their eligibility and apply for these benefits effectively.

 

Anyway, there's probably something there, so the should perhaps contact both the department paying the military retirement (if that's what he was getting) and the Social Security Administration. 

 

She will likely need to prove that she was married an. for how long, and will need a death certificate and so on. 

She should understand the legal things to do also - notify local police department of death of foreign national - she may have already done that

notify the embassy duty officer of the death of an American

 Query the navy paying him any retirement annuity

Query SS - prob the office in the Philippines

Has his stateside family if any been advised of his death? If any then they may have contact of info or know what his status was.

best of luck...the embassy has a web site and all the details about reporting of an American overseas I have it here somewher but is much easier to get from the embassy website especially if it has been update lately.

 

[In Full Agreement]

3 hours ago, CharlieH said:

The US Embassy might be a good place to get guidance.

 

 

Without a doubt.     I've only received excellent service from the embassy staff.

 

 

[EVENKEEL]

8 hours ago, bunnydrops said:

If she was legally married, she is entitled to some, if not all, of his Social Security payments. If he didn't leave a will, it will take some time to receive any assets he may have had.

If she's not a US citizen his SS won't go to her.

[bunnydrops]

14 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

If she's not a US citizen his SS won't go to her.

Your are correct

"Additional Qualifying Criteria for Non-Resident Non-Citizen Spouses

While we cover the general requirements for a non-US spouse to claim Social Security benefits, it’s important to note that the criteria can be more complex for non-resident non-citizen spouses living abroad. To qualify, such spouses must meet one of the following conditions:

1. Residency in the US: The non-US spouse should have lived in the United States for at least five years while married to their US citizen spouse. These five years do not need to be consecutive.
2. Totalization Agreement: The non-US spouse should be a citizen, resident, or former resident of a country that has a social security agreement, also known as a Totalization Agreement, with the United States."  Thailand does not have that agreement

[norfolkandchance]

This is the Branch in Pattaya. Good luck.