I was told that my late husband's survivor benefits were reduced because another name was on his account. The person said that they couldn't divulge the name. How can I find out who it is?
By Lorraine
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Call your local Social Security Office to see if you can find out the answer.
Interesting question..
Did someone give you this information when you applied for SS benefits?
Are you now receiving benefits from his account?
You should pay another visit to your SS office and discuss this with another agent/clerk. If given the same answer - then you will have to seek legal advice if you want an answer as no government agency will/should divulge someone's identity without legal reason to do so.
If you cannot afford legal services you can just Google "free legal services and include your city/county name". You should be able to find an agency name or web site.
Also, look/ask for information through your local family community services. These can usually be found through telephone 211 or put this (211) in Google for a list of services available in your city.
I haven't looked into this for years so things may have changed, but at one time former spouses could claim on the ex's SSI. This was enacted to protect women, primarily, who had spent decades as a loyal homemaker only to be dumped for a younger model.
Are you a 'subsequent spouse'? If yes, and if the above is still in force, you're at the back of a queue that may include one or more spouses. As I recall, the amount received by the former spouse(s) depended on how long the marriage endured.
As for SS telling you just who it is carving away at your widow benefit, it isn't going to ever happen.
I'm sorry for your loss. No matter how long your marriage lasted, it's always horrible to lose a spouse. My condolences.
Frugal Sunnie is totally correct about a former spouse being able to collect SS benefits and I believe the marriage had to have lasted at least 5 years (this may have changed) and there could be more than one ex-spouse filing a claim. A current spouse does not have to meet that time span if they were married when the person dies.
It is correct that you will never find out (from the SS office or anywhere else unless you have a reason to go through the court?) who has filed but you can find out if it is a legitimate claim.
You have to decide how important that is to you but if you visit the SS office again and receive the same information - then - I would think it is time to move on with your life.
Either a former spouse was collecting benefits and/or a child that you had no knowledge of. Go to your local office and speak personally with the manager. Perhaps if you ask if it was a spouse, first then if not a child, they may accommodate your questions without actually divulging private information.
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