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Many Americans and eligible non-citizens wonder if their U.S. Social Security benefits can follow them when they move overseas. For most people, the answer is yes. The rules do vary based on citizenship, country of residence, and benefit type.
This guide explains the regulations for receiving retirement, disability, survivor, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits abroad, based on official Social Security Administration (SSA) sources.
Can You Receive Benefits Abroad?
What “Living Abroad” Means to the SSA
The SSA considers you “outside the United States” when you’re not physically present in:
- Any of the 50 U.S. states
- District of Columbia
- Puerto Rico
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Guam
- Northern Mariana Islands
- American Samoa
To be officially considered “abroad,” you must be outside these areas for at least 30 consecutive days. This status continues until you return and stay within U.S. territory for at least 30 consecutive days.
For non-U.S. citizens, the SSA may require proof of lawful presence during your return period.
Rules for U.S. Citizens
If you’re a U.S. citizen, you can generally continue receiving Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits while living in most foreign countries.
You must remain eligible for your specific benefit and live in a country where the SSA is permitted to send payments. Some countries are restricted (discussed below).
Rules for Non-U.S. Citizens
Rules for non-citizens are more complex. Your eligibility depends on:
- Your country of citizenship
- Your country of residence
- The type of Social Security benefit you receive
- How long you’ve been outside the U.S.
Non-citizens often must meet specific conditions to continue receiving payments if they’re outside the U.S. for more than six months.
SSA’s Payments Abroad Screening Tool
The SSA offers an online Payments Abroad Screening Tool to help determine if you can receive benefits while living outside the U.S.
This tool has limitations and cannot be used for:
- Individuals receiving survivor or dependent benefits as adopted children
- SSI recipients
- Those who have been deported or removed from the U.S.
- Recipients of Special Veterans Benefits
- Stateless persons or refugees
For situations not covered by the tool, consult the SSA’s publication “Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States” or contact your nearest Federal Benefits Unit (FBU).
How Citizenship Status Affects Your Benefits
Rules for U.S. Citizens
U.S. citizens generally maintain eligibility for Social Security benefits when living abroad, with two main exceptions:
- Treasury Department Restrictions: Payments cannot be sent to Cuba or North Korea due to U.S. sanctions. If you live in these countries, your payments will be withheld but can be claimed once you move to a country where payments are permitted.
- SSA Restrictions: The SSA restricts payments to certain former Soviet republics due to administrative challenges. These restrictions apply to U.S. citizens but may have exceptions under specific conditions.
Rules for Non-U.S. Citizens
The Six-Month Rule
A crucial rule applies specifically to non-citizens: If you’re outside the U.S. for six consecutive calendar months, your Social Security payments will automatically stop unless you meet specific exceptions.
To restart stopped payments, you must return to the U.S. and remain physically present for one full calendar month (from the first day through the last day). The SSA may require proof of your lawful presence during this period.
Exceptions to the Six-Month Rule
Many non-citizens can continue receiving benefits while abroad if they meet one of these exceptions:
- You were eligible for monthly Social Security benefits in December 1956
- The worker on whose record your benefits are based died while in U.S. military service or from a service-connected disability
- You receive benefits based on your own work record that includes railroad work treated as covered employment
- You’re in active U.S. military or naval service
- You’re a citizen of a country that has a Social Security agreement (Totalization Agreement) with the United States
- You’re a citizen of certain other countries specified by the SSA
- You’re a refugee or stateless person residing in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, or Switzerland under specific conditions
Special Rules for Dependents and Survivors
Non-U.S. citizens receiving benefits as dependents or survivors face additional requirements if they’re not covered by the exceptions above.
They may need to prove they lived in the United States for at least five years. During those five years, they must have been in the specific family relationship (e.g., married to the worker) on which their benefit eligibility is based.
Exceptions to this five-year rule exist for:
- Benefits that started before January 1, 1985
- Cases where the worker died in U.S. military service
- Citizens of certain countries listed in SSA Publication 05-10137
- Some situations involving children with parents who have lived in the U.S.
Importantly, benefits generally cannot be paid to a child adopted outside the United States while that child lives outside the U.S., even if other requirements are met.
Restricted Countries
Some countries have restrictions that affect Social Security payments, falling into two categories:
Treasury Department Restrictions
The U.S. Treasury Department prohibits sending payments to:
- Cuba
- North Korea
If you live in these countries:
- U.S. citizens: Payments are withheld but can be claimed later after moving elsewhere
- Non-U.S. citizens: Payments are withheld and cannot be received for the months lived in these countries, even after moving elsewhere
Social Security Administration Restrictions
The SSA restricts payments to several former Soviet republics due to administrative challenges:
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
Unlike Treasury restrictions, these SSA restrictions have possible exceptions. Eligible beneficiaries in these countries may receive payments if they:
- Visit a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in person every six months
- Comply with all verification requirements
- Accept direct payments only (generally not through a representative)
- Report all changes in circumstances promptly
Payment Methods
Federal law requires most federal benefit payments to be made electronically. For international recipients, several options exist:
International Direct Deposit (IDD)
This program allows payments to be sent directly to your account at a financial institution in participating countries. Benefits include:
- Automatic currency conversion at daily exchange rates
- No risk of lost or stolen checks
- Faster access to funds
To enroll, complete the country-specific SSA-1199 form available at the SSA Forms website. The form requires information from both you and your bank.
Direct Deposit to a U.S. Bank Account
You can have payments deposited into an existing U.S. bank account, regardless of your country of residence (if payments to that country aren’t restricted).
With this method:
- Payments are deposited in U.S. dollars
- You’re responsible for accessing funds and handling currency conversion
- Setup can be done through your U.S. bank or by contacting the SSA
Paper Checks (Discouraged)
While technically possible, receiving benefits by paper check is strongly discouraged because:
- International mail delivery can be slow and unpredictable
- Checks may arrive inconsistently
- There’s high risk of loss or theft
- Replacement takes considerable time
The U.S. Treasury now mandates electronic payments for nearly all federal benefits.
Your Reporting Responsibilities
Living abroad while receiving Social Security benefits comes with important reporting responsibilities. Failure to report changes can lead to payment issues or overpayments.
Events You Must Report
Notify the SSA immediately if:
- Your address changes, even if you receive direct deposit
- You work outside the U.S. (especially if under full retirement age)
- Your disability status improves or you return to work
- You marry, divorce, or have a marriage annulled
- You adopt a child
- A child under your care leaves your care
- A child’s student status changes
- A beneficiary dies
- You become unable to manage your funds
- You’re deported or removed from the U.S.
- Parental circumstances change (for certain non-citizen children)
- You become eligible for a pension from work not covered by U.S. Social Security
- Your citizenship status changes
How to Report Changes
You can report changes through:
- Federal Benefits Units (FBUs): These offices within U.S. Embassies or Consulates are the primary contact point for most overseas beneficiaries. Find your FBU at the SSA’s Foreign Service page.
- Online via my Social Security: Some services are available online, though limitations exist for overseas users.
- Mail, Phone, or Fax: Contact the SSA’s Office of Earnings & International Operations (OEIO) in Baltimore, Maryland.
Questionnaires
The SSA periodically sends questionnaires to verify eligibility:
- Form SSA-7162 for beneficiaries managing their own funds
- Form SSA-7161 for representative payees
It’s crucial to complete and return these forms promptly. Failure to respond will result in benefit suspension.
Tax Considerations
U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens
U.S. citizens and resident aliens are taxed on worldwide income, including Social Security benefits received abroad.
Benefits may be partially taxable based on your total “combined income” (Adjusted Gross Income + Nontaxable Interest + half of your Social Security benefits):
- Single filers: Up to 50% taxable if combined income is $25,000-$34,000; up to 85% if over $34,000
- Married filing jointly: Up to 50% taxable if combined income is $32,000-$44,000; up to 85% if over $44,000
The SSA sends Form SSA-1099 each January showing your total benefits for tax filing purposes.
Nonresident Aliens
For nonresident aliens, the SSA is required to withhold 30% tax on 85% of benefits, resulting in an effective 25.5% withholding rate from each payment.
Nonresident aliens receive Form SSA-1042S annually showing benefits and withholding amounts.
Tax Treaties
Bilateral tax treaties between the U.S. and many countries may affect how your benefits are taxed:
- Treaties may assign taxing rights to either country
- Some treaties reduce or eliminate withholding for nonresident aliens
- The “saving clause” in treaties may preserve U.S. taxing rights in some cases
For detailed guidance, consult IRS publications:
- Publication 54: Tax Guide for U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens Abroad
- Publication 915: Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits
- Publication 519: U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens
Different Benefit Types: Retirement, SSDI, and SSI
Retirement and Disability Insurance (SSDI)
The rules discussed throughout this guide generally apply equally to both Social Security Retirement benefits and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Both are considered “earned” benefits based on work history and contributions.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI follows fundamentally different rules regarding payments abroad:
- General Rule: No SSI payments are made to individuals outside the United States
- 30-Day Rule: Eligibility stops if you’re outside the U.S. for 30 consecutive days or a full calendar month
- Limited Exceptions: SSI payments may continue for:
- Children of military personnel assigned abroad
- Students temporarily abroad for educational programs
This restriction reflects SSI’s design as a domestic, needs-based program tied to U.S. residency.
Essential Resources
Key SSA Websites
- Service Around the World: Main portal for overseas beneficiaries
- International Programs Home: Overview of international agreements
- Payments Outside the United States Information: Payment rules and eligibility details
Important Publication
- “Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States” (Publication No. 05-10137): Essential reading for anyone living abroad
Online Tools
- Payments Abroad Screening Tool: Check eligibility based on citizenship and residence
- Nonresident Alien Tax Screening Tool: Determine if tax withholding applies
- Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) Tool: Estimate benefit reduction due to foreign pensions
Key Forms
- SSA-1199 Forms: Country-specific forms for International Direct Deposit
- SSA-21 Form: Supplement for persons living outside the U.S.
- SSA Forms Home: Access to all SSA forms
Contact Information
- FBU Locator: Find the office serving your country
- OEIO (Baltimore): For those without FBU access
- Phone: 410-965-0160 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET)
- Fax: 877-385-0645
Understanding these rules and resources helps ensure you receive your benefits correctly while living abroad.
Our articles make government information more accessible. Please consult a qualified professional for financial, legal, or health advice specific to your circumstances.
