Ask Rusty – Husband Upset about HIs Wife’s Survivor Benefit

Dear Rusty:

This is a matter that I find particularly irksome. My wife – a retired teacher – was told that, should I pre-decease her, she is not eligible to get survivor benefits from my Social Security payments. I’m sure there is some arcane, bureaucratic justification for this, but I think it unconscionable. Is this true and if so, what sort of major miracle would be required to alter that?

Signed: Disgruntled in Texas

Dear Disgruntled:

If your wife was a teacher in a school . . .

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