Living in The Philippines > Relationships

Why I can't marry a Filipina.

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Art, just a re(tired) Fil-Am:
Some States have built in safeguards when it comes to beneficiaries receiving benefits aka "survivor's benefits", which for government employees are mandatory to provide their surviving spouse in the event of the demise of the "bread winner" aka the sponsor! Also upon retirement the retiring spouse must have their "legal spouse" sign documents knowing what they will receive in the event the sponsor dies, but the surviving spouse has to be a U.S. citizen in order to receive U.S. government benefits upon the sponsor's demise!
Personal life insurance is just a side issue or an added bonus for the surviving spouse, whether a U.S. citizen or not! One either has personal life insurance or they do not after retirement or upon the demise of the sponsor!   

Shewmake:
It really boils down to trust-- doesn't it? I guess there is something to be said for long engagements, or even cohabitation. It is clear many expats desire to have a younger wife, but there is such a thing as too young IMHO. We all know the plight of many women here, that they feel heavy burden (pressure) to help their families; especially if they marry a foreigner. I know this is not true in all cases, but it is a factor.

My wife and and I are about the same age. When I came here for the first few times all I heard was your rich--your rich, all the time. Where having been married to her for almost 12 years before coming to the Philippines, we had built up love and trust between each other. I believe this might have been another thing all together if I had met her here, and been subjected to the kind of pressure to either get married or help the family. I know several guys who met there wives abroad, and they feel much the same as me. I think if I had come here, I would have played it that I have limited funds; which in fact I do, and that as long as I am alive she would be taken cared for. Most men can tell after a few years where a women's heart is, and then all can be revealed if there is anything to reveal.

My two centavos.

bigrod:

--- Quote from: Art, just a re(tired) Fil/Am on September 23, 2014, 07:58:17 AM ---Some States have built in safeguards when it comes to beneficiaries receiving benefits aka "survivor's benefits", which for government employees are mandatory to provide their surviving spouse in the event of the demise of the "bread winner" aka the sponsor! Also upon retirement the retiring spouse must have their "legal spouse" sign documents knowing what they will receive in the event the sponsor dies, but the surviving spouse has to be a U.S. citizen in order to receive U.S. government benefits upon the sponsor's demise!
Personal life insurance is just a side issue or an added bonus for the surviving spouse, whether a U.S. citizen or not! One either has personal life insurance or they do not after retirement or upon the demise of the sponsor!

--- End quote ---

The surviving spouse does not have to be a U.S. Citizen to receive the Arrears in Pay or the Survivor Benefit Pay(SBP) of the retired military member.  They are required to apply for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number(ITIN) if they do not already have one.  ITIN is required on the application forms as listed in the DFAS processing requirements.  If they have already been included in your yearly income tax return they should already have been issued an ITIN.  They may also have direct deposits made either in local currency or U. S. dollars depending on the accounts they have with the local banks.

Currently military retirees can leave their spouse a SBP payment of a minimum of $300 to maximum of 100% of their retirement pay.
The cost being 6.5% of the selected percentage per month and the surviving spouse would be entitled to 55% of the retired pay if the 100% maximum was selected.  You have 1 year from the date of marriage to apply if you are already retired from the military and otherwise eligible.

Chuck

Art, just a re(tired) Fil-Am:
Good catch Chuck, but would a young Filipina spouse married to a foreigner who has never been to the retiree's home country know how to claim her SBP if her foreigner spouse dies here in the Philippines? SSA benefits would be another long drawn out issue for the surviving spouse.
I've known guys who retired that deceived their spouses in signing a release form without them knowing what they have signed until the retiree died and found out after the fact!
Filipinas who also marries a divorced retiree wouldn't have the same previledge since the previous ex-spouse is already receiving his SBP, unless the ex-spouse remarries or dies before the retiree. Some scenarios varies and are not always cut and dry depending on one's circumstances when it comes to survivors benefits.

bigrod:
Art,

The actual claiming is spelled out by DFAS and SBP sites and kicks triggers upon notification of death of the sponsor.  Concerning SSA there is no entitlement for the spouse unless she lived 5 years in the USA while married to the sponsor, there are child entitlements for issue of their marriage .  All divorced spouses are not automatically entitled to the SBP payment, depends what they are given in the divorce decree.  If the ex-spouse marries before age 55 the SBP is suspended not cancelled, because if the new spouse of the ex-spouse is divorced or dies the SBP is reactivated.

Yes agree the scenarios are varied, but normally very cut and dry.  The SBP has been around long enough that most variations have been tried and either accepted as legitamate or denied.  It is also required that the spouse be present at least for active duty personnel for the accomplishment of SBP election if the member elects anything other than the 100%.  This to ensure the spouse is not deceived as you mentioned.  Worked this area of military personnel during my career.

Chuck

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