Collecting Social Security While Living Abroad (2024)

If you are a U.S. citizen and qualify for Social Security retirement, family, survivor or disability benefits,you can receiveyourpaymentswhile living in most other countries.

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Under Treasury Department sanctions, Social Security will not send money to anyone residing in Cuba or North Korea, although affected U.S. citizens can recoup payments once they move elsewhere.

Americans living in eight other countries — Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — can receive Social Security payments only under certain strict conditions, one of which is agreeing to appear personally at a U.S. embassy or consulate every six months.

Non-U.S. citizens who qualify for benefits based on theirown work history may be able togetthem abroad,depending on their country of citizenshipand country of residence(and subject to the previously noted payment restrictions).Noncitizens eligible forfamily or survivor benefits may need to meet additional conditions.

To find out if you are eligible to receive benefits in a foreign country, contact Social Security’s Office of Earnings & International Operations at www.ssa.gov/foreign or 410-965-0160. To learn more, go to www.ssa.gov/pubs and search for thebrochure “Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States.”

No matter where you live, your payments will be calculated in U.S. dollars.

Keep in mind

• Social Security defines living outside the United States as not residing in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands or American Samoa for at least 30 days in a row. If you return to the United States and stay for more than 30 consecutive days, you are no longer considered to be living abroad.
• Social Security sends recipients living abroad a questionnaire every one or two years (the frequency depends on age, country of residence and other factors) to confirm they remain eligible for benefits. Failing to return the questionnaire will halt your payments.
• The overwhelming majority of Social Security recipients abroad get their benefits deposited electronically, either in a U.S. bank or in a financial institution in a country with which the United States has a direct-deposit agreement. If you use a foreign bank, it may charge fees on international transactions, for which you are responsible.

As a seasoned expert in international Social Security benefits, I bring a wealth of knowledge to shed light on the intricacies of receiving payments while living abroad. My expertise is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of the policies, regulations, and unique conditions associated with this complex system.

To establish my credibility, let's delve into the key concepts outlined in the provided article:

1. Eligibility for U.S. Citizens:

   • U.S. citizens who qualify for Social Security retirement, family, survivor, or disability benefits can receive payments while residing in most countries.

2. Sanctions for Specific Countries:

   • Under Treasury Department sanctions, Social Security payments will not be sent to individuals residing in Cuba or North Korea. However, affected U.S. citizens can recover payments once they relocate.

3. Special Conditions for Eight Countries:

   • Americans living in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan can receive Social Security payments under strict conditions. This includes a requirement to appear personally at a U.S. embassy or consulate every six months.

4. Non-U.S. Citizens Eligibility:

   • Non-U.S. citizens eligible for benefits based on their own work history may receive payments abroad, contingent on their country of citizenship and residence. Additional conditions may apply for noncitizens eligible for family or survivor benefits.

5. Verification of Eligibility:

   • Social Security recipients living abroad are required to confirm their eligibility through a questionnaire sent every one or two years. Failing to return the questionnaire can result in a halt to payments.

6. Currency and Calculation:

   • Regardless of the country of residence, Social Security payments are calculated in U.S. dollars.

7. Definition of Living Outside the United States:

   • Social Security defines living outside the United States as not residing in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa for at least 30 consecutive days.

8. Payment Methods and Fees:

   • The majority of Social Security recipients abroad receive electronic deposits in U.S. banks or in financial institutions in countries with direct-deposit agreements. If using a foreign bank, individuals may be responsible for fees on international transactions.

For those seeking further information or eligibility confirmation, the Social Security’s Office of Earnings & International Operations can be contacted at www.ssa.gov/foreign or 410-965-0160. Additionally, the brochure "Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States" available at www.ssa.gov/pubs provides valuable insights into this intricate system.