As more Americans move outside the United States, it’s important to know whether they can count on their Social Security benefits.
Think tank proposes capping Social Security benefits at $100,000
A Washington think tank has proposed capping annual Social Security benefits for married couples at $100,000 as a way to reduce a looming deficit in retirement trust funds.
A record number of Americans will move abroad in 2025, and the nonpartisan Brookings Institution predicts a steady flow of immigrants will continue this year. In other words, the United States has more people leaving the country than entering the country, creating negative net immigration.
If you’re one of the hundreds of thousands of people who have decided to build a life in a new country, but you receive Social Security in the United States, you may have questions about your benefits. For example, you may wonder whether you will continue to receive benefits, and if so, whether those benefits will change if you leave the continental United States. Here, we answer those questions and more.
Depends on where you’re moving
According to the Social Security Administration (SSA), the U.S. Treasury Department prohibits payments to residents of Cuba or North Korea. If you currently live in one of these countries and have enough credit to qualify for Social Security benefits, you can receive any payments that SSA has withheld when you move to a country where SSA is allowed to send money.
While sending money to Cuba and North Korea is a no-no, SSA generally cannot send money to people residing in these countries unless they qualify for an exception.
- Azerbaijan
- belarus
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- tajikistan
- turkmenistan
- uzbekistan
If you don’t qualify for an exception, SSA will hold your payment until you move it to a country where it can be remitted.
The reality for most immigrants
The vast majority of migrants do not move to North Korea or Tajikistan. Rather, it is likely to land in places like Costa Rica, Greece, Spain, and Thailand. If that’s the case, you can rely on your Social Security benefits just as you would if you still lived in the United States.
Basic eligibility requirements for US citizens
The rules for receiving Social Security benefits while living abroad are the same as if you were in the United States.
- Be a U.S. citizen or meet certain residency requirements.
- Earn the required 40 credits (typically equivalent to 10 years of study).
- Must be of minimum age to receive benefits.
How to receive payments
There are several ways to receive rewards abroad. They include:
- US bank account: By linking your US bank account to your new international account, you can access your deposited funds whenever you need them.
- International direct deposit: It is available in most countries and is a safe way to ensure your funds reach you. With this shipping method, there is no risk of your check being lost or stolen as the currency is automatically converted to the destination country’s currency. International deposits typically arrive on the same schedule as payments in the United States.
- Payment by check: If direct deposit isn’t available in your country, SSA can also mail you a check, but this method isn’t ideal. Not only do you face the risk of loss or theft, you may also experience international mail delays and your bank may charge you a fee to cash a U.S. government check.
Considering you’ve probably spent years planning for retirement, it’s good to know that you have options if you choose to relocate, and that Social Security is still available when you need it.
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