Can You Collect Social Security Outside the US?

• Author: Martha Stanton
• Posted: 2024-08-15

Not everyone who collects Social Security benefits has to actually live in the US. This is due to the fact that, once you are a citizen, your rights come with you. All you need to do is qualify for Social Security retirement, family, survivor or disability benefits. Once you have done so, you can get them even if you live in most other nations.
 

Are Any Foreign Nations Off Limits?

At the moment, there are only two nations where you cannot reside and still expect to receive your Social Security benefits. These are North Korea and Cuba. Even from these places, you can get your benefits once you move elsewhere. All other nations are acceptable. However, there may be certain local restrictions you need to be aware of.

For example, there are eight nations where you can only receive your Social Security payments if you agree to certain conditions. These include agreeing to appear in person at a US consulate or embassy once every six months. The nations where this is the rule are Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
 

Can Non-Citizens Qualify to Receive Benefits?

There are certain conditions under which non-U.S. citizens who have previously qualified to receive benefits based on their own work history may do so outside of the US. They will be first be subjected to all of the possible restrictions listed above.

Their ability to qualify to receive these benefits will depend on their country of current citizenship as well as residence. Noncitizens who are judged to be eligible to receive family or survivor benefits may also be required to meet other conditions.
 

How to Know if You Are Eligible

There are a number of methods you can employ in order to make sure you are eligible to receive Social Security benefits in a foreign nation. The most reliable method will be to get in touch with the official Social Security’s Office of Earnings & International Operations.

You can check the web to find their official site and phone number. Once on the site, you can conduct a search for the brochure titled “Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States.” You should also note that, no matter what nation you are currently in, all of your payments will be calculated in US dollars.
 

How Does the US Define Living Abroad?

Persons applying for Social Security benefits in other countries should have a clear understanding of how the US defines the concept of "living abroad." The agency does not consider you to be living outside of the country if you are in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa.

You must be in a position of having lived outside of the country or its territories for a period of at least 30 days in a row. Should you decide to return to the United States and remain for more than 30 consecutive days, you will lose this status. At this point, you will no longer be considered as a person who is living abroad.
 

You Will Need to Provide Info

If you decide to live abroad for a lengthy period, you can expect to receive regular questionnaires from Social Security. The agency will send one out at a rate of one every year or two. The frequency with which you receive them will depend on a number of factors. These include the recipient's age, specific country of residence, and others.

Continuing to fill out these questionnaires is not an option. This is a move that will be necessary in order to confirm they remain eligible for benefits. Failing to return the questionnaire in a timely manner will bring a swift halt to your payments.
 

How Can You Expect to Receive Payments?

Most people who receive Social Security benefits while residing in a foreign country will get them via electronic deposit. This may be courtesy of a US bank or a foreign nation with which the US has a standing direct deposit agreement.

If you are currently depositing funds in a foreign bank, you may encounter some extra charges. For example, your bank may choose to charge fees on all transactions that it regards as international. Keep in mind that you will be solely responsible for any and all extra charges that may accrue. The US will accept no liability in this matter.