Thread: Can I retire under husbands social security?

My husband plans to continue working when we move. He will collect his social security. Can I apply for retirement status under him, without him applying?

i am not 100% sure , but i would think not , a couple of things , why would he not want to apply ? the pension visa gives some decent discounts for things , if he does not apply , then he will just be a tourist and have to leave the country every 180 days for at least 3 days , so will you , now if he applies he has to show a grand a month and a extra $250 a month for you , so his name would have to be on the pension visa and you as a second / wife . i would find a good immagration lawyer and ask ,

The decision to apply for permanent residency is a personal one. Many people come to Panama and wait a year or 2 and then apply for residency. This could be a good idea especially if money is an issue because it cost's at least 2000 dollars for a married couple to apply and receive the pensionado visa. Many married couple's live here for awhile and find out that they don't like the life style and then they move back home. Once you feel confident that living in Panama is a good thing, then it is a very good idea to apply for this residency permit.

Originally Posted by Pollerkeeper

The decision to apply for permanent residency is a personal one. Many people come to Panama and wait a year or 2 and then apply for residency. This could be a good idea especially if money is an issue because it cost's at least 2000 dollars for a married couple to apply and receive the pensionado visa. Many married couple's live here for awhile and find out that they don't like the life style and then they move back home. Once you feel confident that living in Panama is a good thing, then it is a very good idea to apply for this residency permit.

Good suggestion. With all the change and hassle associated with moving to Panama (or anywhere else), applying for a pensionado visa is aggravation and expense that can be put off quite a while. Undoubtedly your new friends in Panama will have recommendations on how to proceed and mistakes they made that you can avoid.

Expense yes, aggravation not so much. It's become a fair bit easier now. You can handle things long distance for the most part and the temp ID's are now 1yr instead of the old 3month.

I'm not sure if my question was answered. He will collect his SS - but does not wish to claim retirement yet. I, however, want to. We own land in Sora, and plan on building a home. He plans to continue working, I plan on loafing!

His ss check is more than enough for us to qualify. Perhaps an immigration attorney is the best answer.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by vicki

I'm not sure if my question was answered. He will collect his SS - but does not wish to claim retirement yet. I, however, want to. We own land in Sora, and plan on building a home. He plans to continue working, I plan on loafing!

His ss check is more than enough for us to qualify. Perhaps an immigration attorney is the best answer.

Thanks!

I'll try. You need to prove you are receiving a pension in the minimum amount, not simply that your husband is eligible to receive such a pension if he wanted to apply for it.

Originally Posted by vicki

Perhaps an immigration attorney is the best answer.

By the way, this is a very prudent idea. Unfortunately, I've asked and to my knowledge no one is willing to stick their neck out there and recommend a good immigration lawyer, unless I've missed it. I suspect they all have their "warts."

One of the board members here (whypanama) highly recommended this lawyer: Mayra Lamboglia de Ruzzi, email: 1crisma@gmail.com.

Mayra and I have traded many emails over the past year and she seems to be very proficient. She also answers emails promptly. I am planning on retaining her to file the paperwork for my pensionado visa.