Most U.S. citizens can get Social Security benefits while visiting or living outside the U.S. Find out if you qualify, how to apply, and who to contact to get help.
LAST UPDATED: January 8, 2024
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FAQs
If you leave the U.S., we will stop your benefits the month after the sixth calendar month in a row that you are outside the country. You can make visits to the United States for specific periods of time, depending on how long you've been outside, to continue receiving your benefits.
Can I live outside the US and receive Social Security benefits? ›
If you are a U.S. citizen, you may receive your Social Security payments outside the U.S. as long as you are eligible for them. However, there are certain countries to which we are not allowed to send payments.
How long can you live outside the US before losing Social Security? ›
There's No Time Limit For Receiving Social Security Benefits Abroad. Luckily, there is no time limit on how long you can live outside the U.S. and still receive monthly Social Security payments.
How long can I stay abroad without losing my SSI benefits? ›
Except for certain students temporarily abroad for study purposes or a child of military parents stationed overseas, an individual is not eligible for SSI benefits for any month during all of which he or she has been outside the U.S. Once an individual has been outside the U.S. for 30 consecutive days or longer, he or ...
Does foreign income qualify for Social Security benefits? ›
If we need to count your foreign work credits, you will receive a partial U.S. benefit based on how long you worked under U.S. Social Security. Although we may count your work credits in the other country, your credits are not transferred from that country to the United States.
How long can a U.S. citizen stay outside of us? ›
US citizens can live outside the country for as long as they wish — even for the rest of their lives — without a problem. A US citizen cannot be prevented from re-entering the US.
What is the 5 year rule for Social Security? ›
You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes in five of the last 10 years. If you also get a pension from a job where you didn't pay Social Security taxes (e.g., a civil service or teacher's pension), your Social Security benefit might be reduced.
How long can you live outside the U.S. without losing residency? ›
Absences of more than 365 consecutive days
You must apply for a re-entry permit (Form I-131) before you leave the United States, or your permanent residence status will be considered abandoned. A re-entry permit enables you to be abroad for up to two years. Apply for a re-entry permit.
How long can I stay abroad without losing Medicare benefits? ›
The lifetime maximum benefit is $50,000. These policies will not pay benefits if you live or travel outside the United States for longer than 60 days.
At what age is Social Security no longer taxed? ›
There is no age at which you will no longer be taxed on Social Security payments. So, if those payments when combined with your other forms of income, exceed one of the two thresholds, then you will have to pay at least federal taxes on either 50% or 85% of the benefits you receive.
If you leave the U.S., we will stop your benefits the month after the sixth calendar month in a row that you are outside the country. You can make visits to the United States for specific periods of time, depending on how long you've been outside, to continue receiving your benefits.
What to do when Social Security is not enough to live on? ›
Has your income declined or have you experienced a loss of financial resources? You may be able to get additional income through the Supplemental Security Income program, which helps seniors and the disabled who have limited income and financial resources.
What is the lowest amount you can get in Social Security? ›
Social Security's special minimum benefit pays at least $49.40 per month in 2023 and $50.90 in 2024. Social Security's special minimum benefit tops out at $1,033.50 per month in 2023 and $1,066.50 in 2024. You'll receive 100% of the benefit if you file at full retirement age or later.
Does Social Security stop if you move out of the country? ›
If you leave the U.S., we will stop your benefits the month after the sixth calendar month in a row that you are outside the country. You can make visits to the United States for specific periods of time, depending on how long you've been outside, to continue receiving your benefits.
Will SSI know if I leave the country? ›
We need to know the date you plan to leave and the date you plan to come back. Then, we can tell you if your SSI will be affected. After you have been outside the United States for 30 or more days in a row, your SSI can't start again until you have been back in the country for at least 30 straight days.
Does dual citizenship affect Social Security benefits? ›
The United States generally considers a person with dual U.S. and foreign citizenship a U.S. citizen for Social Security purposes. This does not apply if you are a U.S. citizen and a citizen of a country the United States has an international social security agreement with.
Which countries do not tax U.S. Social Security income? ›
You're ready to embrace the expat life with confidence.
- Panama. Panama tops most lists of the best countries to retire in, and there are good reasons for that. ...
- Costa Rica. ...
- Portugal. ...
- Ecuador. ...
- Greece. ...
- Belize. ...
- Nicaragua. ...
- The Philippines.