If you are investigating or planning a move out of the United States and its territories for your retirement, there are some important facts to know before you go. Below are some common questions regarding this situation, with answers and useful links to additional important information.
Note: the rules for those receiving Social Security Disability benefits, survivor benefits, and dependent benefits are very different and are not included in this blog post. Neither are the rules applicable to non-citizens receiving Social Security Retirement benefits.
First, where are you planning to move?
Living abroad does not include those moving to Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa. If you are a United States citizen, you are able to receive your Social Security Retirement if you move outside of the US, as long as the move is not to Cuba or North Korea.
Is the move permanent? How long do you plan to stay?
You are considered to be living abroad if you move a country/territory outside the US and territories for a period of 30 days or more.
Can receive my benefit payments when I am outside the United States?
Yes, you can receive your Social Security Retirement benefits if you are outside the US, as long as you move to a country where the government can send the payments. Direct deposits can be made to all the countries noted on this SSA webpage: https://www.ssa.gov/international/countrylist6.htm
The US Department of the Treasury prohibits payments to individuals residing in Cuba or North Korea. Further, SSR payments cannot be paid to individuals in in: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, or Uzbekistan unless an exception is met.
What about my Medicare health coverage?
While a citizen can receive their SSR payments abroad, their Medicare does not travel. The individual should plan for other health insurance coverage.
Do I still owe US taxes on my benefits?
Yes, Taxes are still due on SSR payments.
What do I need to do regarding my Social Security Retirement benefits before I move abroad?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a list of instructions for Social Security Retirement recipients leaving the US. You must report your new (abroad) address to the SSA before leaving. SSA webpage with instructions is located at: https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/leaving_us.htm
The VERY USEFUL SSA publication EN-05-10137 on payments while outside the US is available online and downloadable as PDF: https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10137.pdf
The SSA Office of Earnings & International Operations is the point of contact for SSR recipients abroad: https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/ Specific country and regional offices information is found at: https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm