Do Expats Get Social Security Benefits?
- Can I Receive Social Security Benefits While Living Abroad?
- What If I'm Not a U.S. Citizen?
- How Do I Apply for Benefits from Abroad?
- Can I Receive Benefits from Multiple Countries?
- What Is the Difference Between Social Security and SSI?
- What Ongoing Requirements Must I Meet?
- How Do I Protect My Benefits from Loss or Theft?
- What About Taxes on My Benefits?
- Next Steps
- Related Resources
Yes, most Americans living abroad are eligible to receive U.S. Social Security retirement benefits. According to the Social Security Administration, U.S. citizens who qualify for benefits can receive payments in most foreign countries without interruption. You need 40 Social Security credits (equivalent to 10 years of work) to qualify.
Payments continue as long as you remain eligible. You can set up direct deposit to a U.S. or foreign bank account, and the SSA will send questionnaires every 1-2 years to confirm your eligibility. However, payments cannot be sent to Cuba or North Korea, and specific rules apply to non-U.S. citizens.
This guide explains the eligibility requirements, country restrictions, the application process, and the procedures for receiving payments abroad.
See How Living Abroad Affects Your Social Security Benefits.
Can I Receive Social Security Benefits While Living Abroad?
Yes, with a few exceptions. If you’re a U.S. citizen who has earned at least 40 Social Security credits, you can receive retirement benefits while living in most countries.
Basic Eligibility:
- Be a U.S. citizen or meet specific conditions as a non-citizen
- Have earned 40 credits (10 years of work), paying into Social Security
- Meet the age requirement (62 for reduced benefits, 67 for full benefits if born 1960 or later)
- Live in a country where the SSA can send payments
Countries Where Payments Stop:
The SSA cannot send payments to Cuba or North Korea. Your benefits stop if you move to either country, but you can receive withheld payments once you move to an eligible country.
Benefits are also usually held for individuals in certain former Soviet Union countries (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan), but exceptions can be granted.
What If I’m Not a U.S. Citizen?
If you’re not a U.S. citizen but qualify for Social Security benefits (for example, you’re a permanent resident with a Green Card), different rules apply.
The Six-Month Rule:
The SSA cannot pay benefits to non-citizens after their sixth consecutive calendar month outside the U.S. Your payments stop the month after you’ve been outside the country for six full calendar months.
Exceptions:
You may continue receiving benefits if:
- You’re a citizen of a country with a U.S. Totalization Agreement
- You qualified for benefits before December 1956
- You’re receiving benefits as a dependent/survivor of someone who worked for the U.S. government or military
- You meet other specific conditions listed on the SSA website
Restarting Benefits:
If your benefits are terminated due to the six-month rule, they will restart if you return to the U.S. for a full calendar month. You’ll need to provide proof of your physical presence (passport stamps, flight records).
How Do I Apply for Benefits from Abroad?
You can apply online regardless of where you live. Visit the Social Security Administration website and complete your application up to four months before you want benefits to start.
Required Documentation:
- Proof of age (birth certificate or passport)
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status
- W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns for the most recent year
- Military discharge papers (if applicable)
- Banking information for direct deposit
Payment Methods:
Choose direct deposit to either a U.S. bank account or a foreign bank account (if your country has an international direct deposit agreement with the U.S.). Direct deposit is faster and safer than paper checks. Check the SSA’s international direct deposit list for your country.
Can I Receive Benefits from Multiple Countries?
Yes. If you worked in both the U.S. and a country with a Totalization Agreement, you may qualify for benefits from both systems.
Totalization Agreements allow you to combine work credits from both countries to meet minimum eligibility requirements. Your benefits from each country are calculated separately based on your work history in each system.
For more information, see our guide on Totalization Agreements and coordinating U.S. Social Security with foreign pensions.
What Is the Difference Between Social Security and SSI?
Social Security (OASDI):
- Based on your work history and contributions
- Available to U.S. citizens abroad
- Payments continue indefinitely
Supplemental Security Income (SSI):
- Needs-based program for low-income individuals
- NOT available to people living outside the U.S.
- Payments stop after 30 consecutive days abroad
If you receive SSI and move abroad, you’ll lose this benefit. Social Security retirement benefits continue.
What Ongoing Requirements Must I Meet?
The SSA will send questionnaires every 1-2 years to confirm you’re still alive and eligible, your address is current, and your circumstances haven’t changed. If you don’t respond, the SSA may stop your payments.
You Must Report Changes:
Notify the SSA immediately if you change your address, return to work, divorce, adopt a child, become unable to manage your funds, or become eligible for a foreign pension. Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or the SSA’s Office of Earnings International Operations.
How Do I Protect My Benefits from Loss or Theft?
Paper checks can be lost or stolen. If this happens, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy and report it to the SSA, which will replace your check.
Better solution: Set up direct deposit to eliminate the risk. Your benefits are deposited into your U.S. or foreign bank account on the same day each month.
What About Taxes on My Benefits?
Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits may be taxable on your U.S. tax return, regardless of where you live. Social Security is U.S.-source income, so you cannot exclude it using the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion.
For detailed information on Social Security taxation and the use of the Foreign Tax Credit, see our expat retirement tax planning guide.
Next Steps
Receiving Social Security benefits abroad is straightforward for most U.S. citizens.
Your Action Plan:
- Verify you have 40 Social Security credits at ssa.gov
- Use the Payments Abroad Screening Tool to confirm your country is eligible
- Apply for benefits online 3-4 months before you want them to start
- Set up direct deposit
- Respond to annual SSA questionnaires
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Coordinate Your Social Security Benefits With Expat Taxes.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult with a qualified tax professional and contact the SSA directly.
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