Social Security Benefits U.S. Citizens Outside the United States
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: March 17, 2021
Over half a million people who live outside the United States receive some kind of Social Security benefit, including retired and disabled workers, as well as spouses, widows, widowers, and children.
If you’re a U.S. citizen, you may receive your Social Security payments outside the United States as long as you are eligible. When we say you are “outside the United States,” we mean you’re not in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa. Once you’ve been outside the United States for at least 30 days in a row, we consider you to be outside the country.
If you are traveling outside the U.S. for an extended amount of time, it’s important that you tell Social Security the date you plan to leave and the date you plan to come back, no matter how long you expect your travel to last. Then we can let you know whether your Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will be affected.
You can use this online tool to find out if you can continue to receive your Social Security benefits if you are outside the United States or are planning to go outside the United States at www.socialsecurity.gov/international/payments_outsideUS.html.
This tool will help you find out if your retirement, disability, or survivor’s payments will continue as long as you are eligible, stop after six consecutive calendar months, or if certain country specific restrictions apply.
When you live outside the United States, periodically we’ll send you a questionnaire. Your answers will help us figure out if you still are eligible for benefits. Return the questionnaire to the office that sent it as soon as possible. If you don’t, your payments will stop. In addition to responding to the questionnaire, notify us promptly about changes that could affect your payments.
You can also read the publication titled Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.
Social Security is with you through life’s journey, even if that journey takes you outside the United States.
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Tags: Disability, retirement, Social Security benefits, SSI
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Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications
Deputy Commissioner, Office of Communications
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Viido P.
I have sent a registered letter to the social security offices about a change of address to the bank here in Estonia where they have been sending my direct deposit goes to. My former bank is closing services and I need to switch banks. I have waited for 3 months to see if they have transferred banks, but SS services have not done so. It is impossible to get through via the telephone, Where can I expedite matters. I do not want the bank to not accept the check and through everything into limbo. I need a quick solution.
Mayemtess R.
Hi
Am a mother of two beautiful girls (4-2)years old but living in mauritania and i need a fanacial help for my kids coz i dont have a job and am obligated to stay in here with my parents actualy my oldest daughter is going to be in school next year and as she does’nt have mauritanian nationality she cant go to public school in mauriatania si i was wondering what to do to get a financial help knowing that am a single mom
Thanks
Olajide G.
How do I apply for a new retirement Social Security Benefit in Nigeria? I am a US citizen 62 and moved to Nigeria.
Charlie L.
Can i receive my social security check if i live Armenia. Thanks
R.F.
Hello Charlie, You can use our Payments Abroad Screening Tool to find the answer to your question. Then, be sure to read our publication “Your Payments While You are Outside the United States“. We hope this information helps!
RICHARD W.
YES I AM LIVING OUT OF USA AND I KEEP TRYING TO CALL THE TOLL FREE NUMBERS YOU HAVE BUT THEY KEEP COMING BACK AS NOT LISTED OR WRONG NUMBER . LIKE THIS ONE I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES LAST NIGHT FROM HERE WHICH IS YOUR DAY TIME THEIR.1-800-772-1213 CAN YOU GIVE ME A CALL ANY PHONE NUMBER 063-9171030327 ANYTIME FROM THE TIME YOU OPEN YOUR OFFICES PLEASE HELP ME I NEED TO GET A FORM FILLED OUT THAT CAN’T BE DONE ONLINE OR BY GETTING IT TO COPY TO SEND TO YOU .OR SEND ME A CLAIM FORM THAT I CAN CHANGE MY DEPENDENCY TO MY WIFE HERE IN THE PHILIPPINES.
R.F.
Hello Richard, we don’t have a toll free number that people can call form outside the United States. We recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact the nearest Federal Benefits Unit in their area, for any assistance related to Social Security programs and benefits. Thanks!
Sabina I.
How can I change my mailing address with Social Security if I live out of US?
R.F.
Hello Sabina, you can report your new address and contact us by mail or by phone. Mainly, we recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact the nearest Federal Benefits Unit in their area. Please visit our Office of International Operations web page to find the information you need. Thanks!
Matthew M.
This is just an inquiry regarding social security for my retirement. I’m now sixty-four years old. when am I eligible for Social Security Benefits? Please let me know as soon as you can.
R.F.
Hello Matthew. The earliest age to apply and receive Social Security Retirement Benefits is 62, but if you decide to get benefits before your full retirement age, your benefits will be reduced. You can create a my Social Security account to review your earnings record and get an estimate of your future benefits. When you are ready, you can complete your application for retirement benefits online. We hope this information helps!
zennure .
merhaba eşim amerika vatandaşıydı ve evlenmek için türkiye ye geldi evlendikten bir yıl sonra vefat etti,amerika atlanta da 25 yıl çalışmış ve emekliliğe hak kazanmıştı fakat yaşını bekliyordu.ben eşi olarak bu emeklilikten yararlanmak istiyorum ,yardımcı olabilirmiiniz .çok teşekkürler.
Miguel L.
I am a US citizen with residence in Chile. I want to open an account to see my Social Security statements, but a requirement is to have a US address. As indicated, I am currently living in Chile.
Is there a way to have the account for US Citizens not currentli living in the US?
I have a son that lives in Puerto Rico. Could I use his address?
Pamela C.
Need help. Went to,local SSA office, called Operational International-Baltimore Office and called (800) SSA telephone call center to no avail. Baltimore office never called me back. My brother lives in Sierra Leone. He has sent in completed form 7162 two times. He has been in contact with the London Operations International Office, but has not yet had benefits reinstated. Seems this is not an aberration but more common than one would anticipate. My brother has appealed to me to help. However, I have not been able to get any assistance. Before I ask my local Congressman’s office for assistance will you help me.