Can You Get Social Security If You Live Abroad?

Many individuals who have contributed to the U.S. Social Security system may wonder if their benefits remain accessible should they choose to live outside the United States. The Social Security Administration (SSA) allows U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens to receive benefits while residing abroad. However, specific rules, payment methods, and potential tax implications can vary based on a person’s citizenship, the country of residence, and the type of benefit received.

General Eligibility and Payment Rules

To qualify for Social Security benefits, individuals must earn a sufficient number of work credits. For retirement benefits, most individuals born in 1929 or later need 40 work credits, which usually translates to about 10 years of work. Work credits are earned by working and paying Social Security taxes, with a maximum of four credits obtainable per year. The amount of earnings required for one credit changes annually. Disability and survivor benefits also have work credit requirements, which can vary based on the individual’s age at the time of disability or death.

Once eligible, Social Security benefits are payable to individuals regardless of their country of residence. However, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) cannot be collected while living abroad, as it is a needs-based program. The primary and most reliable method for receiving benefits internationally is electronic direct deposit. Payments can be deposited into a U.S. bank account, which is recommended for stability and to minimize currency conversion issues. Alternatively, benefits can be deposited directly into a local bank account in countries that have an international direct deposit agreement with the U.S. Payments can be received in U.S. dollars or local currency, depending on the country’s arrangement.

Country-Specific Payment Considerations

While Social Security benefits are widely payable abroad, certain countries have restrictions on receiving payments. The U.S. Department of the Treasury prohibits payments to individuals residing in Cuba and North Korea due to sanctions. If a U.S. citizen resides in one of these countries, their payments will be withheld but can be collected once they move to a country where payments are allowed. Non-U.S. citizens cannot receive payments for the months they resided in these specific countries, even if they later move elsewhere.

Beyond these Treasury-sanctioned countries, the SSA cannot send payments to individuals in certain other nations, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These restrictions are due to the SSA’s inability to ensure free access to beneficiaries or their vital statistics records. Exceptions may exist for certain eligible persons, requiring them to meet specific restricted payment conditions, such as periodic in-person verification at a U.S. embassy or Federal Benefits Unit.

Tax Implications for Non-Residents

U.S. Social Security benefits are subject to federal income tax, even when received by individuals living abroad. For U.S. citizens and resident aliens, Social Security benefits are taxed in the same manner as for those residing within the U.S. Up to 85% of benefits may be taxable, depending on an individual’s “combined income,” which includes adjusted gross income, any non-taxable interest, and half of the Social Security benefits. For single filers, if combined income is between $25,000 and $34,000, up to 50% of benefits may be taxable; if over $34,000, up to 85% may be taxable. For those filing jointly, these thresholds are $32,000 to $44,000 for 50% taxation and over $44,000 for 85% taxation.

For non-resident aliens, the tax rules differ significantly. The SSA is required to withhold a 30% flat income tax from 85% of their Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits. This results in an effective withholding rate of 25.5% of the total monthly benefit. U.S. tax treaties with foreign countries can reduce or eliminate this U.S. tax liability for residents of those countries. These treaties, often called Totalization Agreements, prevent dual Social Security taxation, ensuring individuals contribute to only one country’s social security system.

Managing Your Social Security Benefits Abroad

Individuals living abroad can apply for Social Security benefits through various channels. Online applications are available, and U.S. embassies or consulates, along with Federal Benefits Units (FBUs), provide assistance with applications overseas. When applying, specific documentation is required, such as proof of age, citizenship, and work history. Contacting the nearest FBU or consular office can provide a precise list of documents needed for submission, as requirements can vary.

Once benefits commence, recipients have ongoing reporting obligations to the Social Security Administration to ensure continued eligibility and correct payment amounts. Important changes, such as a change of address, marital status changes (marriage, divorce, widowhood), or the death of a beneficiary, must be reported. Failure to report these changes in a timely manner can lead to overpayments, which the SSA will seek to recover, or even benefit suspension. The SSA sends annual or biennial questionnaires to beneficiaries living abroad to confirm continued eligibility; prompt completion and return of these forms prevent payment interruptions.

To contact the SSA from outside the U.S., individuals can reach the Office of Earnings & International Operations (OEIO) via phone. Calls are not toll-free. Many services, including checking earnings records and benefit estimates, are accessible through a “my Social Security” online account. This account can be created by individuals without a U.S. mailing address using ID.me for identity verification. Direct deposit into a U.S. bank account is recommended. Benefits can also be sent to foreign bank accounts in countries with an international direct deposit agreement, or through the Direct Express® debit card program for those without traditional bank accounts.