There is no way to know the future of course, but I was wondering if anybody was following/researching SS closely enough that they thought there might at some point be a change in policy in this to restrict SS to only US citizens.
Your concern is well founded, and I see no one has responded noting the (possible) impact of (possible) changes to the UK State Pension, and it's (possible) impact on the US/UK Totalisation Treaty.
Yes, it's me again. I apologise for being a thorn in your side, as usual.
Your issue has been thrown into unknown territory since last we spoke. I'll try to explain, but for right now I'm afraid there are no definitive answers. Everything is in the air at the moment concerning future claims for spousal benefits. Your and your wife's ages may be a problem.
The current situation:
A UKC only spouse (an NRA in US speak) of a USC, both living in the UK, may claim 50% of the USC's SSA benefit provided rules governing age, receipt of the SSA pension, etc. are met. This is clear in the SSA guidelines, and has been verified on US/UK expat forums a number of times by those already receiving the benefit.
The key to the uncertainty is that at present, a USC only spouse of a UKC, both living in the US, may claim 60% of the UKC's UK State Pension (provided rules.........are met), the result of the equality of the Totalisation Agreement.
CAVEAT: as usual, it is necessary to point out that the US/UK Totalisation Treaty is fairly unique, with only 8 or so countries having agreed with the US the above treatments of SSA/State pensions.
The future situation:
The potential problem arises with a change in the UK State Pension rules which have been proposed. Please note, the change has yet to become law, but it is assumed that the law will be passed soon. The proposed date for the actual change implementing the new pension rules is April, 2016.
The new rules activate a move to restrict an individuals pension benefits to the 'individuals' record of contributions. (The current understanding is) a spouse can no longer claim a benefit based on the State Pension benefit received by their partner. The implication is a USC spouse of a UKC, both living in the US, will no longer be able to claim 60% of the UKC's UK State Pension (the current situation).
The unknown is, of course, will the US reciprocate and not allow a UKC (NRA) spouse of a USC, both living in the UK, to receive a SSA benefit based on their USC spouses record after April, 2016. The assumption (big assumption) is that those benefits already in place by April 2016 will be unaffected. Hence, the problem with your age as I assume you will not be entitled to an SSA benefit by April, 2016.
BIG CAVEAT!!!!!!
At this time, no one knows what is going to happen! The law hasn't been passed, the UK DWP has issued no set rules since the law has yet to be passed, and the (possible) reaction of the US SSA is
totally unknown as nothing is law yet in the UK!
My suggestion would be to keep abreast of the change in the UK State Pension rules once the law is passed. Trying to guess how the US SSA will react is PURE SPECULATION, on anyone's part.
Again, I apologise for making what is always a difficult and unclear situation (whether to obtain US citizenship) even more murky and unclear.