With everyone locked in together during the Covid-19 pandemic, I suspect the occasional thought of homicide has occurred to more than a few spouses. Of course, no one is going to act on that impulse, right? But, what if you did? Could you finally off that husband of yours and later collect retirement benefits based on his earnings record?
Don’t Pull The Trigger
Sadly for you would-be assassins out there, Social Security is onto you. If you do go ahead and pull the trigger, so to speak, you can give up on getting any money from Social Security based on your late husband’s employment earnings. If you want all the details, here they are:
20 C.F.R § 404.305:
(b) Person’s death caused by an intentional act. You may not become entitled to or continue to receive any survivor’s benefits or payments on the earnings record of any person, or receive any underpayment due a person, if you were convicted of a felony or an act in the nature of a felony of intentionally causing that person’s death. If you were subject to the juvenile justice system, you may not become entitled to or continue to receive survivor’s benefits or payments on the earnings record of any person, or receive any underpayment due a person, if you were found by a court of competent jurisdiction to have intentionally caused that person’s death by committing an act which, if committed by an adult, would have been considered a felony or an act in the nature of a felony.
Old Wisdom In Old Songs
So, remember the old song that instructed It’s Cheaper To Keep Her. Divorce is a lot less messy and it leaves you fully able to collect off that deadbeat ex-spouse of yours (provided you were married at least 10 years.)
Domestic Violence Is Not A Joke
All joking aside, domestic violence is intolerable. If you feel you are in any danger, please seek help at once. For the rest of you daydreaming about being single again, it could cost you some dough down the line (and your freedom).
