What happens to Social Security if I leave the country?

If you are a U.S. citizen who qualifies for retirement, disability, or survivors benefits, you can generally collect them while living outside the U.S. However, benefit payments cannot be made to recipients living in certain countries, such as Cuba and North Korea.

How long can you be out of the country with SSI?

It is possible to leave the country for up to 30 days without losing your SSI benefits. Any longer than a month, however, puts your benefits at risk.

Can you still collect your Social Security if you move to another country?

If you are a U.S. citizen and qualify for Social Security, you can receive payments while living in most other countries. Under Treasury Department sanctions, Social Security will not send money to anyone residing in Cuba or North Korea, although affected U.S. citizens can recoup payments once they move elsewhere.

Can I keep my SSI if I move to another country?

If you are receiving SSI and you move out of the country, your benefits will stop if you remain outside of the United States for 30 days.

When does social security stop paying if you live abroad?

If you aren’t a U.S. citizen or don’t meet one of the conditions for receiving payment abroad, the SSA will stop making payments to you after you have been abroad for six months. The payments will resume when you have stayed in the U.S. for one full month.

Can a US citizen receive Social Security while living abroad?

If you are a U.S. citizen, you may continue to receive Social Security payments while you live abroad if you meet two conditions. You are eligible for payment. This means that you qualify for Social Security benefits based on your earnings record.

How to find out if your Social Security benefits will continue outside the US?

Payments Abroad Screening Tool This is a tool to find out if you can continue to receive your Title II Social Security payments if you are outside the United States or are planning to go outside the United States.

Are there any states outside the United States that pay Social Security?

Have you been or do you plan to go outside the United States (the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa or the Northern Mariana Islands)? Check here for information about how to contact Social Security, how to report events which may affect payments and which office to contact for services.