Burning SSA application question (pension, supplement, divorce, divorced)

[cvco]

Im 62 and ready to apply.

In regard to application questions:

1) Is it better to say you are not married? SSA website says if you are single and then marry later your benefits will be reduced or cut off. WHY, i dont know. So is it better to always say single and simply get benefits based on your work record and forget about anything else which may complicate matters? And this is to assume such a wife is a foreigner, is not contributing to income, receives no pension/benefits of her own and wouldnt claim mine later.

2) The application asks if you EVER worked or were involved in a business outside US. "If so, you may experience benefit cuts even if you dont work or receive any money from it." Ten years ago i started a business with an Asian partner but it never had any income or anything. Its still there in shell form but nobody works in it. Should I say I never worked outside US?

I need to answer these questions before I can submit the application. Any ideas for strategy here? I cant change the answers later.

[Mr5150]

Just tell the truth. One less thing to worry about. Having to repay overpayments sucks.

In this Information Age it is very possible to get caught.

[rjm1cc]

My advice is to tell the truth.

[Pitt Chick]

There is no strategy.
Tell the truth.

Do you really want to be caught in a lie and have repayment and/or jail time in your future?

[selhars]

if it asks about the business….I'd HOPE there's also a place where it might ask about earnings or profit. And that's where you could put 00.00.

Go though to the end you can always edit things before submitting. (I'd imagine)

[LakeLifePA]

It's better to always tell the truth on a form that requires so. Unless you think you would enjoy time in a federal penitentiary.

[Willistonite]

Wow are you crazy? Don't lie to the government, they will never leave you alone. Why would you even consider it?

[Mircea]

Originally Posted by cvco

SSA website says if you are single and then marry later your benefits will be reduced or cut off.

I'm from Missouri so you'll have to show me where it says that, since your benefits are based solely on the 420 highest paid months you worked, and not on marital status.

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by Mircea

I'm from Missouri so you'll have to show me where it says that, since your benefits are based solely on the 420 highest paid months you worked, and not on marital status.

I think the person is incorrect. But if she is getting supplemental income this could change due to total family income. I think her retirement related payment would not be eliminated.

[Thulsa]

If it's the remarriage reduction that the SSA web site is referring to, it has to do with surviving/divorced spouse benefits. I don't think you have that problem. It's possible that you read it wrong.
Can you provide a link to what you saw?