Social Security beneficiaries who plan to reside outside the United States can continue receiving payments. First of all, it’s important to emphasize that this is your right, and that simply moving abroad doesn’t mean you’ll lose your payments. However, there are regulations and restrictions you should understand to maintain your payments.
There are reasons why the Social Security Administration (SSA) can suspend or withhold your money. These regulations determine continued eligibility based on factors such as country of residence and type of benefit received.
Receiving Social Security abroad: It is possible, but there are restrictions.
The SSA maintains a list of countries where Social Security payments cannot be sent. This restricted list primarily includes nations where there are active U.S. economic sanctions or serious problems with the financial or postal systems. Residing in these territories generally suspends payments.
Affected beneficiaries could see their payments interrupted immediately upon settling in those countries. Payment reinstatement typically only occurs after the beneficiary moves to an authorized country and notifies the SSA of their new address. Remaining in non-permitted countries means continued loss of benefits.
These are the countries where this can happen:
- Cuba: Payments cannot be sent directly. Payments are held until the recipient is in an eligible country.
- North Korea: No type of payment is allowed. Benefits are suspended while the beneficiary is there.
- Belarus: Payments suspended or restricted due to U.S. government sanctions.
- Iran: Prohibition of direct payments, except in limited cases and with approval from the Department of the Treasury.
- Ukraine (Specific Occupied Regions): Areas under Russian control (such as Crimea, Donetsk, Lugansk) may be subject to withholding payments.
- Russia: Due to banking sanctions and restrictions, the SSA may suspend payments to permanent residents there.
What should I do if I move to a foreign country while receiving Social Security?
Beneficiaries are required to report any international address changes to the SSA. This notification can be made online through a secure “My Social Security” account, by phone, or by visiting a U.S. consular or diplomatic office. Keeping this information up-to-date prevents disruptions.
Payments to most international destinations are made via direct electronic transfer to a bank account, a mandatory method for new beneficiaries since 2011. Options such as paper checks by mail are available only in exceptional situations and for countries with reliable postal systems.
When will I receive my Social Security payment if I live abroad?
Social Security beneficiaries residing outside the United States generally receive their payments on the 3rd of each month. If the 3rd falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment is advanced to the last business day before.
This same date applies to beneficiaries who receive both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). For this group, the SSI payment arrives on the first day of the month and the Social Security payment on the third. It’s also the same payment date for those whose first Medicare payments are paid by the state.
