Why I can't marry a Filipina.

[iamjames]

When I was back in Ireland a few weeks ago I made enquiries about the pension rights of widows. My wife (at the time of death) would be entitled to half my pension for the rest of her life (this is also index linked). She would also get a further quarter for each dependent child (to a maximum of two) until they complete full time education.  She does not have to be Irish or even living there. 

This rule would have been before the introduction of divorce to Ireland and did not envisage the teacher getting divorced and marrying a young Filipina. But it is valid. 

It is a catch 22 situation. She could be better off with me dead, than alive!

It would be a marvellous opportunity for a young woman - but dangerous for me.

Does anyone else have this predicament?

[Lee2]

I am not in that situation as my pension and SS stop when I die but my question to you would be, how would she know if you did not tell her? I would think that would be a wonderful thing to leave a wife, as long as tje two of you were in love and I would guess she would have to know how to contact the right people in your govt and how to file the papers, so possibly giving that information to someone you trust but not to her might be a safe way to play it, if in a fairly new relationship.

In my wife's case, she had a chance to have my $200,000 life insurance policy a number of years back, all she would have had to do was not give me the epipen injection when my throat was swollen shut and I was just about passed out on the bed, yet she gave me the injection anyway, full well knowing that the policy was going to end the following year as it was a term policy I got when we married, so she then lost her chance at the chunk of cash. I guess that then meant that I was safe, at least I hope so. 

Love is not about money but in some relationships the women are only with the men for the money, those are the dangerous ones to be in.

[meylou]

Maybe you should not tell her right away.  Take your sweet time and enjoy each other's company for as long as you can.  Like Lee said, if you trust someone there (maybe a lawyer?) write that information on a sealed envelope only to be opened upon your death. This way, you will be assured that you will not meet an 'untimely' death. Heaven forbid!

[coleman2347]

As far as the pension, im in the same boat as most, it stops upon my death.  However, there is a 250k insurance policy that Maline is the sole beneficiary of.  Honestly, there is a lot of things I worry about, but Maline and her greed is not one of them. I have to agree with Meylou, why tell anybody that you have anything, pension or anything else...you will know when you need to let somebody (wife/ gf ) know.  Until then keep it to yourself.  I have three copies of my will, one I have had made here by my lawyer, one with him, one in our safety deposit box, and one with my business partner.  Just for me, if I had not completed trusted my wife, why would I have gotten married to her...its perfectly normal here to be a live in ....

[paulgee]

I suppose I am in the 'firing line' with regard to the question posed. I recently retired and upon my death my wife (24 years younger than me) will be entitled to half of my 2 private pensions. I have already bought us (obviously in her name) a house in the Philippines where we intend to spend an increasing amount of time in future years - god willing!

The apartment we live in in the UK will be left to my sons upon my demise, and I am fairly content that my wife is well catered for should anything happen to me, and that is an important consideration for my peace of mind. Whilst I know that our marriage is as strong as it could be, that will not always be the case for some when marrying a younger Filipina, or in fact any aged Filipina.

I agree with others that if you have any doubt about your wife it would be wise to keep quiet about what her financial situation would be when you pass on from this world. In fact for many it would be a good idea anyway  to pass on only scant details of income and capital when married to a younger and financially inexperienced Filipina. Especially if her family are of the more demanding type.

The situation may be a little different if your wife is living with you in your home country, she will probably have a more balanced view of money and life generally, and as in our case she could be in a job which helps contribute to our combined income.

But overall it is something for expats to be aware of because every so often there comes to light a case of an expat meeting his death in suspicious circumstances. Yes ......... the more I think about it the poorer I think I would act when meeting prospective Filipina wives.

[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]

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!

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

[BudM]

I  agree on that stuff Chuck.  She doesn't have to be citizen.  Except like you said with social security, living in the states for 5 years.  With DoD retirement versus the military 55%, it is either 50% of the pension or another choice.  I can't remember offhand but I think it is 25%.  There is also the government version of the 401K which they can be eligible for.  In fact, with that, if someone has both a wife and a girlfriend, (not me, I am not crazy) and neither being a U.S. citizen, they can share it with both being listed as beneficiaries.

[bigrod]

Bud glad you are not crazy!

Chuck

[iamjames]

Many very interesting responses there gentlemen. Most of those scenarios would not apply here. It is very simple and clear cut without any complications. My woman is very sincere, intelligent and educated. I suppose it is the same as any insurance policy where the survivor benefits. If we were to get paranoid then there would be no such thing as life insurance. A 

[coleman2347]

James. if its so clear cut then why did you ask for advice. either you love her or you dont. Either you are worried or your not....dont waste my time if your already made up your mind

[wildbill]

I am wasteing my time too..always. lol .......