Yes, as a U.S. citizen, you can receive your Social Security benefits while living in most countries around the world. The primary conflict you will face arises from a specific federal rule that can jeopardize the financial stability of international families. This rule, found in the Code of Federal Regulations (20 CFR § 404.460), is known as the “six-month rule” and it creates a direct and severe problem for non-U.S. citizen spouses. The immediate negative consequence is that their Social Security spousal or survivor benefits are automatically suspended after they live outside the U.S. for six consecutive months, potentially cutting off a vital income stream.
This issue is more common than you might think, as data from the Social Security Administration (SSA) shows that nearly 760,000 Americans are already receiving their benefits while living abroad. This number has nearly doubled since the year 2000, highlighting a growing trend of global retirement. Understanding the rules that govern these payments is critical to making your retirement dream a reality.
Here is what you will learn to solve these complex problems:
- 🗺️ Master the Map: Discover which countries are restricted and which have special agreements that can protect your benefits.
- 💔 Protect Your Partner: Learn the three critical exceptions that allow your non-citizen spouse to keep their benefits, avoiding the dreaded six-month cutoff.
- 💰 Keep More of Your Money: Understand how both the U.S. and your new home country will tax your benefits and how to avoid paying taxes twice.
- ✉️ Dodge Administrative Disasters: Find out how to handle the SSA’s requirements from abroad, including a recent major change that makes staying compliant easier than ever.
- 🏦 Secure Your Payments: Learn the best strategies for receiving your money safely and minimizing the risks from currency fluctuations.
The Core Rule: Your Citizenship is Your Golden Ticket
The first and most important factor in determining your benefits abroad is your citizenship status. For U.S. citizens, the system is designed to be straightforward and portable. If you are a U.S. citizen and have earned your Social Security benefits, you can generally have them sent to you in most foreign countries for as long as you live there.
This fundamental portability provides a strong foundation for your financial planning. As long as you remain eligible for your retirement, disability, or survivor benefits, your U.S. citizenship acts as a guarantee. Your right to receive payments is protected, with the only major exceptions being a handful of countries restricted by U.S. foreign policy.
The 30-Day “Tripwire” That Changes Everything
The Social Security Administration has a very specific definition for when a person is officially “outside the United States.” This status is triggered when you are physically absent from the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa for at least 30 consecutive days. Once you cross this 30-day threshold, the SSA’s rules for beneficiaries abroad kick in.
This 30-day rule is not just a definition; it is a legal tripwire. It activates a different set of administrative procedures and monitoring from the SSA. For all beneficiaries living abroad, it triggers the requirement to periodically answer questionnaires to confirm eligibility. For non-U.S. citizens, this 30-day absence is the event that starts the clock on the six-month rule that can lead to suspended payments.
Your status as being “outside the U.S.” only ends when you return and stay in the United States for more than 30 consecutive days. This resets the clock. Understanding this rule is vital for planning, especially for a non-citizen spouse who may need to manage their time in and out of the U.S. carefully to maintain their benefits.
The Six-Month Cliff: A Critical Hurdle for Non-Citizen Spouses
For beneficiaries who are not U.S. citizens, the rules are completely different and much stricter. The most significant regulation is the six-month suspension rule. This rule states that Social Security payments to a non-U.S. citizen are automatically stopped after they have been outside the U.S. for six full, consecutive calendar months.
This rule applies to non-citizens receiving benefits on their own work record as well as those receiving spousal or survivor benefits. Unless a specific exception applies, this six-month “cliff” is a hard stop. The consequence is the immediate loss of a potentially crucial source of retirement income for many international families.
The “Full Calendar Month” Gauntlet to Restart Benefits
If a non-citizen’s benefits are suspended under the six-month rule, restarting them is an exceptionally strict process. The individual must physically and lawfully return to the United States and remain for one full calendar month. The SSA defines this with extreme precision.
To be considered present for the entire calendar month of August, for example, a person must arrive in the U.S. no later than the last minute of July 31 and depart no earlier than the first minute of September 1. Simply spending 30 days in the U.S. is not enough if it crosses two different months. This unforgiving requirement can create significant travel and logistical challenges.
Furthermore, the burden of proof is on the beneficiary. You must provide documentation to the SSA to prove you were in the U.S. for the required period. This can include official documents from the Department of Homeland Security, dated payment receipts with your name on them, or signed statements from people who can confirm your presence.
Three Paths for a Non-Citizen Spouse: Navigating the Exceptions
The six-month suspension rule is a major source of anxiety for international couples. However, there are three main exceptions that can act as a lifeline, allowing a non-citizen spouse, divorced spouse, or survivor to continue receiving benefits indefinitely while living abroad. Understanding which path you qualify for is one of the most important steps in your retirement planning.
Scenario 1: The “Five-Year Residency” Lifeline
The first major exception is based on the non-citizen spouse’s history in the United States. A non-citizen can continue to receive benefits abroad if they resided in the U.S. for at least five years while married to the U.S. worker. These five years do not need to be continuous.
This rule also applies to a divorced spouse, provided the marriage lasted at least 10 years and the five-year residency requirement was met during the marriage. For a surviving spouse who did not meet the five-year requirement when the worker passed away, they have the option to return to the U.S. to complete the residency period and then qualify to receive benefits abroad.
| Situation | Consequence |
| A non-citizen spouse lived in the U.S. for four years while married to a U.S. worker, then they move to a country with no special agreements. | Benefits are suspended after six months abroad because the five-year residency rule was not met. |
| A non-citizen spouse lived in the U.S. for six years while married, then they move abroad. | Benefits continue indefinitely because the five-year residency rule was met. |
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Scenario 2: The “Totalization Agreement” Safety Net
The United States has special bilateral agreements, known as Totalization Agreements, with 30 foreign countries. These agreements are designed to coordinate Social Security coverage and benefits for people who have worked in both countries. One of their most important functions is providing an exception to the six-month suspension rule.
If a non-citizen spouse is a resident of one of these 30 countries, their benefits will continue indefinitely. This exception is based on where the spouse lives, not their citizenship. This makes retiring to one of these countries a powerful strategy for international couples.
| Residency | Benefit Status |
| A non-citizen spouse lives in Italy, a country with a Totalization Agreement. | Benefits continue indefinitely, regardless of the spouse’s citizenship or U.S. residency history. |
| A non-citizen spouse lives in Thailand, a country with no Totalization Agreement. | Benefits are suspended after six months abroad, unless another exception applies. |
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The countries with Totalization Agreements are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Uruguay.
Scenario 3: The Power of “Citizenship”
The final major exception is based on the non-citizen spouse’s country of citizenship. The SSA maintains a specific list of countries whose citizens are exempt from the six-month suspension rule.
If your non-citizen spouse is a citizen of one of these qualifying countries, their benefits will continue regardless of where they live (as long as it is not a restricted country). This is a powerful exception because it is not tied to U.S. residency history or current country of residence. It provides global flexibility.
| Citizenship | Benefit Status |
| A Canadian citizen spouse lives in Thailand (a non-treaty country). | Benefits continue indefinitely because Canada is on the qualifying citizenship list. |
| A Thai citizen spouse lives in Thailand. | Benefits are suspended after six months abroad because Thailand is not on the qualifying list and has no Totalization Agreement. |
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The list of qualifying countries for this citizenship exception includes nations like Canada, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
The Tax Man Cometh: Your U.S. Tax Duties Follow You
A common and costly mistake for U.S. expats is assuming that moving abroad ends their U.S. tax obligations. The United States uses a system of citizenship-based taxation. This means that as a U.S. citizen, you must file a U.S. tax return and report your worldwide income every year, no matter where you live.
Your Social Security benefits are considered part of this worldwide income and are subject to U.S. federal tax. The amount of your benefit that is taxed depends on your “combined income.” This includes your adjusted gross income, any non-taxable interest, and half of your Social Security benefits.
For 2023, if you file as an individual and your combined income is between $25,000 and $34,000, up to 50% of your benefits may be taxable. If your income is over $34,000, up to 85% of your benefits may be taxable. For joint filers, taxes may apply if your combined income is over $32,000.
The Expat Tax Trap: Why the FEIE Doesn’t Apply to Social Security
Many expats are familiar with the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE), a powerful tool that allows you to exclude a large portion of your foreign-earned income from U.S. taxes. However, there is a critical trap here for retirees. Social Security benefits are classified as U.S.-sourced income, not foreign-earned income.
Because of this classification, your Social Security benefits are not eligible for the FEIE. You cannot use this common expat tax break to reduce or eliminate U.S. taxes on your Social Security income. This surprises many retirees and can lead to unexpected tax bills.
Double Trouble? How Foreign Countries Tax Your Benefits
On top of U.S. taxes, the country where you choose to retire may also want to tax your U.S. Social Security benefits. This creates the risk of double taxation, where you could pay tax on the same income to two different countries. The primary tool to prevent this is a bilateral income tax treaty.
These treaties are different from Totalization Agreements. While Totalization Agreements deal with the taxes you pay into the system while working, income tax treaties determine how the benefits are taxed when you receive them. The terms of these treaties vary significantly from country to country.
Some treaties give the exclusive right to tax Social Security benefits to the United States (the source country). Other treaties give that right to the country where you reside. If no treaty exists, or if the treaty allows both countries to tax the income, you can generally use the U.S. Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) to avoid double taxation. The FTC gives you a dollar-for-dollar credit on your U.S. tax return for income taxes you paid to a foreign government.
| Country | Local Taxation of U.S. Social Security | Why It Matters |
| Spain | Not Taxable | The U.S.-Spain tax treaty gives the U.S. the exclusive right to tax the benefits. This provides significant tax savings and financial predictability for retirees in Spain. |
| Portugal | Taxable | Portugal taxes foreign pension and Social Security income. New retirees are subject to standard progressive rates, as the favorable 10% NHR program is no longer available to them. |
| Thailand | Taxable | As of 2024, foreign income brought into Thailand by a tax resident is taxable. There is no income tax treaty provision protecting U.S. Social Security benefits. |
Getting Your Money: Banks, Deposits, and Currency Risk
The safest and most common way to receive your Social Security payments abroad is through direct deposit. You have two main choices: have the money sent to a U.S. bank account or have it sent directly to a foreign bank account in a participating country.
While sending money directly to a foreign bank account seems convenient, it introduces a major financial risk: currency fluctuation. Your Social Security benefit is always calculated in U.S. dollars. When it is deposited into a foreign account, it is converted to the local currency at whatever the exchange rate is on that day.
Because exchange rates are constantly changing, the amount of local currency you receive each month will vary. This creates uncertainty in your budget and makes it difficult to plan your expenses. Foreign banks may also charge fees for receiving international transfers, which further reduces the amount you receive.
To manage this risk, many financial advisors recommend a “financial hub” strategy. This involves keeping a U.S. bank account to receive your Social Security direct deposit in stable U.S. dollars. You can then use a specialized, low-fee currency transfer service to move money to your local foreign bank account as needed. This approach gives you control over the timing of currency conversions and helps you avoid high bank fees.
Common Mistakes That Can Cost You Dearly
Navigating the Social Security system from abroad can be tricky, and a few common mistakes can lead to suspended benefits or unexpected financial penalties. Being aware of these pitfalls is the first step to avoiding them.
- Ignoring the SSA Questionnaire: The SSA periodically mails a questionnaire (Form SSA-7161 or SSA-7162) to beneficiaries abroad to confirm they are still eligible for benefits. Failure to complete and return this form will cause your payments to stop.
- Not Reporting Life Changes: You are legally required to report major life events to the SSA. This includes a change of address, getting married or divorced, the death of a spouse, or returning to work. Failing to report these changes can lead to overpayments that you will have to pay back.
- Assuming Medicare Works Abroad: This is a critical error. Medicare does not cover health services received outside the United States, except in very rare cases. You must arrange for private health insurance or enroll in the healthcare system of your new country.
- Confusing Social Security with SSI: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program, and it is not a Social Security benefit. SSI benefits are not payable to anyone who has been outside the U.S. for 30 days or more.
The Key Players: Who’s Who in Your Expat Benefit Journey
When you live abroad, you will interact with several different agencies and offices to manage your benefits. The main organization is the Social Security Administration (SSA), but its international operations are handled by specific divisions.
The Office of Earnings & International Operations (OEIO) is the central hub that manages the Social Security program for beneficiaries outside the U.S.. Since there are no SSA offices in foreign countries, the OEIO works with the U.S. Department of State. Federal Benefits Units (FBUs) are located in U.S. embassies and consulates around the world and are your primary in-person contact for Social Security matters.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury also plays a key role. It is responsible for enforcing sanctions that prohibit sending payments to certain restricted countries, such as Cuba and North Korea. Finally, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the agency you will deal with for all matters related to the taxation of your benefits.
The Dreaded Questionnaire: A Step-by-Step Guide to Form SSA-7161/7162
Every one or two years, the SSA sends a form to beneficiaries living abroad to verify that they are still alive and eligible for payments. This form is either the SSA-7161 or the SSA-7162. Historically, this process has been a major source of stress for expats.
The reliance on international mail meant forms could be lost or delayed, leading to sudden and unexpected benefit suspensions. This created immense financial uncertainty for retirees who depended on their Social Security income. A missed form could mean months without payments while trying to sort out the issue from thousands of miles away.
A Game-Changing Update for Expats
In a major positive development, the SSA has modernized this process. As of August 2025, you no longer need to rely on the mail. The SSA has implemented a new “signature proxy” or attestation process for these critical forms.
This means you can now complete the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire in one of two ways:
- By Phone: You can call the SSA or your local Federal Benefits Unit and complete the form verbally with a representative.
- In Person: You can visit your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate and complete the form with the Federal Benefits Unit staff.
This change is a game-changer because it eliminates the single largest administrative point of failure for expats. The risk has now shifted from unreliable postal services to digital awareness. The most important best practice today is to be proactive and comfortable using the SSA’s online and phone resources.
Receiving Benefits Abroad: Pros and Cons
Deciding to have your Social Security benefits sent overseas involves trade-offs. Weighing the advantages and disadvantages can help you create a better financial strategy for your retirement.
| Pros | Cons |
| Stable U.S. Dollar Income: Your benefit is a reliable source of income calculated in one of the world’s most stable currencies. | Currency Conversion Risk: The amount of local currency you receive will change every month, creating budget uncertainty. |
| Potential Tax Advantages: Depending on tax treaties, your benefits may be taxed at a lower rate or not at all by your host country. | Complex Tax Filings: You will likely have to navigate the tax laws of two countries, which often requires professional help. |
| Supports Residency Visas: A consistent Social Security income can help you meet the financial requirements for retirement visas in many countries. | Administrative Hurdles: You must stay compliant with SSA reporting requirements, such as questionnaires and life event changes. |
| Global Portability: As a U.S. citizen, your earned benefits can follow you to most countries around the world. | Banking Fees: You may face fees for international direct deposits, currency conversions, and wire transfers. |
| Access to Funds: International Direct Deposit makes accessing your money convenient for daily life in your new country. | No Medicare Coverage: You lose your U.S. health coverage and must secure and pay for a separate health plan abroad. |
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Your Expat Social Security Do’s and Don’ts
Here is a simple checklist to help you manage your benefits effectively while living abroad.
Do’s
- DO Notify the SSA of Your Move: Before you leave, or as soon as you have a new address, inform the SSA. This is the most important first step.
- DO Create a
my Social SecurityAccount: Set up your online account before you leave the U.S. It is now accessible to users abroad and is a vital tool for managing your benefits. - DO Understand the Rules for Your Spouse: If you have a non-citizen spouse, research the exceptions to the six-month rule thoroughly. Their financial security depends on it.
- DO Establish a Financial Hub: Keep a U.S. bank account for your direct deposits to protect your income from currency swings and high fees.
- DO Consult with Experts: Speak with a financial advisor and a tax professional who specialize in expat issues. Their advice can save you from costly mistakes.
Don’ts
- DON’T Assume Medicare Will Cover You: It will not. You must arrange for separate health insurance in your new country of residence.
- DON’T Ignore Mail or Emails from the SSA: Respond to all communications, especially the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire, immediately to prevent your benefits from being suspended.
- DON’T Forget About U.S. Taxes: You are still required to file a U.S. tax return every year. Your Social Security benefits are part of your reportable income.
- DON’T Use a General Power of Attorney for SSA Matters: The SSA does not recognize a general power of attorney. You must go through their formal process to appoint a “Representative Payee” if needed.
- DON’T Confuse Social Security with SSI: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a separate, needs-based program that is not payable outside the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I get my Social Security benefits in Mexico? Yes. U.S. citizens can receive their Social Security payments while living in Mexico. The SSA has a direct deposit agreement with Mexico, making it easy to receive your funds in a local bank account.
Will my non-citizen spouse lose their benefits if we move abroad? Maybe. Benefits are suspended after six months abroad unless an exception applies, such as having 5+ years of U.S. residency while married, or living in or being a citizen of a qualifying treaty country.
Is my Social Security taxed by the U.S. if I live abroad? Yes. The U.S. taxes its citizens on worldwide income, regardless of where they live. Up to 85% of your Social Security benefits may be subject to U.S. federal income tax, depending on your total income.
Does Medicare cover me in Spain? No. Medicare does not provide coverage for health services received outside the United States. You will need to purchase private health insurance or enroll in the Spanish national healthcare system to be covered.
Can I use direct deposit to a foreign bank? Yes. The SSA can deposit your benefits directly into a bank in many foreign countries through the International Direct Deposit program. However, this exposes your income to currency fluctuations and potential bank fees.
Will my benefit amount change with currency rates? No. Your benefit is always calculated in U.S. dollars. The amount of local currency you receive will change each month based on the exchange rate at the time of payment, but the U.S. dollar amount remains the same.
Do I still have to report a change of address? Yes. You are required to report any change of address to the SSA, even if you move within the same foreign country. Failing to do so can result in your benefits being suspended.
Can I get SSI benefits abroad? No. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program and is not payable to anyone who has been outside the U.S. for 30 consecutive days or more. It is different from Social Security retirement benefits. Sources and related content