Can You Collect SS Benefits & Live Abroad?
- Almost every American has a right to Social Security benefits providing you meet the required number of credits. The Social Security Administration bases retirement benefits you receive on the amount you earned during your working years. Age eligibility starts at 62, although benefits increase if an applicant waits until they are 65 or older.
- People who live either temporarily or permanently abroad should take care of necessary banking procedures before leaving this country. They should arrange for direct deposit of Social Security benefit checks in a U.S. financial institution. This way, they can make withdrawals in any country using their ATM debit card. Social Security benefits can also go by mail to deposit in foreign bank accounts. However, the mail and banking systems in some countries are unreliable, and this process takes longer for a recipient to have access to his funds.
- The Social Security Administration sends out questionnaires every year to confirm continued eligibility of applicants. In many cases, recipients arrange with mail-forwarding courier services to receive their U.S. mail. They can use this method to send the form, or they can register their foreign mailing address with the SSA. If the SSA does not receive the form in 45 days, payments will stop. However, when the agency receives the form, it will restart payments and pay everything owed.
- The American embassy in the country of residence can address questions or issues that arise about Social Security benefits while a recipient is in a foreign country. Most American embassies have an office that deals with Social Security issues, questions and applications.
