Do any of you SAHM or SAHD do this??

[Like2Plan]

As a self -employed person he should have been paying his social security taxes, so I don't think that should affect the kid's eligibility for survivor's benefits. If you find out that he did not pay them while self-employed, perhaps he (using your money?) could pay them now in order to make the kids eligible. I suppose it is possible you would come out ahead. I might try going into a different SS office than the one you visited. Even if the worker could not give you specific information about your ex-husband/children's case, they should be able to explain the rules so that you can figure out for yourself why the kids are being considered ineligible.

Even if the ex DH had not paid into SS for a period of time, that doesn't erase the 30 years that he was employed by someone else....Unless the previous employer had not been paying in... If mom-from-missouri could just get hold of the ex's SS statement. There could have been an error that would have to be tracked down. Maybe the ex just didn't get credit for his contributions...

[mom-from-missouri]

Even if the ex DH had not paid into SS for a period of time, that doesn't erase the 30 years that he was employed by someone else....Unless the previous employer had not been paying in... If mom-from-missouri could just get hold of the ex's SS statement. There could have been an error that would have to be tracked down. Maybe the ex just didn't get credit for his contributions...

I called a Kansas City office today, and the 800 number. Both told me basically the same thing. They are telling me that technically he has enough credits, but that they are too old. One said they go by your recent years, and another said think of it like they kind of drop off as time goes by without adding more....

They also told me that after he dies the children will not be able to receive any monies either because the credits are too old. He quit paying into it in either 96 or 97. Being self employeed it is your choice to pay into it or not, and he chose not. The records for when he worked for others are accurate and show he paid, but they are too old to count, according to what both places told me today.

They said all he will ever be able to get is SSI--never disability and never retirement.
That still doesn't seem right to me, but that is what all these places keep telling me, and him, and also what is in the letters he has received and what his attorney has been told as well.

[Like2Plan]

I called a Kansas City office today, and the 800 number. Both told me basically the same thing. They are telling me that technically he has enough credits, but that they are too old. One said they go by your recent years, and another said think of it like they kind of drop off as time goes by without adding more....

That is really bizarre and frustrating that they ignore contributions that were made in the past. And, your Ex has been too ill to work for a while. That totally flys in the face of "But no one needs more than 40 credits (10 years of work) to be eligible for any Social Security benefit." I'm sorry, but if there is a regulation that permits past contributions to "time out", it is just not right.
The frustrating thing is what options do you have? I don't know what the benefit at stake is, but would it be worthwhile to consult with an attorney who specializes in SS? It will most likely cost some bucks--if they take the case on contingency.

[mom-from-missouri]

I ordered a statement to be sent to him, and then I will get it, to check his records.
My concern is, since I am now a SAHM, what happens to my credits?
Meanwhile, I already have an annunity that starts in 8 years, but we may investigate something further.
If something happens to me I want to make sure my kids aren't footing my bills.......
Still, I am questioning what they are telling me, because so many others are telling me they are telling me wrong. I once read that 40% of info you get from govt offices is wrong.......