It is a good practice to check SS earnings records and forecast monies regardless of situation. I got lucky because!e I was "self employed" contract for a few years while I was making very good money in Mortgage as a Processor. If not for that I wouldn't have much for my disability income at all as I wasn't married for 10 years and I also worked for my mother in law for 8 years with no taxes taken out. I now have enough for disability to live on, have my girls receive funds if needed and also when I do pass be able to have them get a monthly amount (little) since I am not married.
if the wife was self employed as a missionary the checks should have come to each wife and hubby UNLESS the family was a registered business so to speak (license as a missionary for tax purposes with IRS). It first depends on how the contract to mission for NTM read in regard to pay. If it was just going to head of house (hubby) then yes tthe wife can be scewed when it comes to SS. I will stop here because I don't have all info but I am invisioning a mess!!
The IRS has a publication for Pastoral or Clergy pay that can be downloaded off their site.
www.irs.gov