We live together. Not married but care for each other. She is 79. I am 82.

[3Hotdogs]

My health is better than hers. My finances are better off, also. We share housing expenses.

I worry that if I go first, she will have difficulty with meeting expenses.

If we marry and I go first, can she get SS benefits?

[bucolic_frolic]

1. If one of you owns the home you live in, better have some discussions

perhaps with a lawyer. Laws vary across states but spouses, common law marriages, family caregivers can have legal rights relative to elder residences.

[markodochartaigh]

2. This is a question for an attorney who specializes

in Social Security. But I think that the answer could be given quickly in a free consultation appointment by a reputable attorney.


https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-02083.html

[3Hotdogs]

3. THX. This seems to have the answer.

[MLAA]

4. From Google

Widows cannot collect both their own retirement benefit and their deceased spouse's Social Security benefit. Instead, the Social Security Administration (SSA) pays the higher of the two benefits. A surviving spouse is entitled to their own retirement benefit, or a survivor benefit up to 100% of the deceased's benefit (if claimed at their full retirement age), but never both. The choice depends on which benefit amount is higher and the timing of claiming.


***My personal tip is to make sure your will reflects your current wishes. ❤️

[IbogaProject]

8. Catch is you have to be married like 10 years

That limit came in at some point, but not sure if it shifted more recently.

[marble falls]

5. I'm 75 and my significant other is 79. We've been together for 20 years. We met online. The only time ...

... either of us tried to meet someone online.

She's actually saved my life.

[Deuxcents]

6. My friend and her partner have been together coming up on 25 years..they are not married

But they had documents drawn up years ago that allows them to considered in an illness, their real estate and other assets. Depending where you live, you may be able to get advice from an attorney that works with seniors so both of you can be protected and have your wishes in writing. I don’t think having just a Will is what it takes..they are on a cruise or I’d call and ask the name of the document..I’ll keep this post open and let you know when they return. 🌺

[TommyT139]

7. In the event you are a same-sex couple

...(I didn't want to assume, and it's not clear from your profile), you should contact an attorney who specializes in LGBTQ family law.

It is very likely that the protections we have enjoyed will disappear, so any benefits, tax, and inheritance issues may need to be "belts-&-suspenders" and as much as possible, fascism-proofed.

[3Hotdogs]

9. we're not same sex.

Several of our friends are but they have been married for several years.

[TommyT139]

11. That would have been my guess

...but it's good to practice not assuming the rest of the world is straight.

Best wishes for navigating this sector of life bureaucracy.

[progree]

10. One year. Or 9 months?

An AI response -

To collect Social Security benefits as a currently married person, you generally must have been married for at least one year. For divorced spouses, you must have been married for a minimum of 10 continuous years to collect benefits based on an ex-spouse's record

============================================
https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-01999.html

Generally, you must be married for one year before you can get spouse's benefits.

============================================
https://www.aarp.org/social-security/faq/when-spouse-dies/

In most cases, a widow or widower qualifies for survivor benefits if he or she is at least 60 and was married to the deceased for at least nine months at the time of death. There are a few exceptions to those requirements: ...