Javier v. Commissioner of Social Security

KAREN LeCRAFT HENDERSON, Circuit Judge.

Alfonso T. Javier was a naturalized United States citizen who lived in his native country, the Philippines, from the late 1970s until his death on July 17, 2004. Based on his long-time employment in the United States, Javier qualified as an insured individual and received retirement benefits under the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 401 et seq. (Act). In addition, his wife and two sons received Social Security benefits for many years until the Social Security Administration (SSA or Administration) terminated the benefits in 1996. This appeal results…