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If you're planning to live abroad or are already residing overseas, understanding how your Social Security benefits work is essential. Your retirement, disability, or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits may be affected differently depending on your citizenship status, where you live, and how long you stay outside the United States. This guide provides comprehensive information about receiving Social Security benefits while living overseas, Medicare coverage internationally, and important banking considerations.
Generally, U.S. citizens can receive Social Security retirement benefits no matter where they live in the world. However, if you're not a U.S. citizen, different rules apply based on your country of residence and citizenship status.
If you're not a U.S. citizen, Social Security generally cannot pay retirement benefits if you've been outside the United States for six consecutive calendar months. However, you might qualify for an exception that allows you to continue receiving benefits without returning to the U.S.
The Social Security Administration uses a Payments Abroad Screening Tool to help determine if you can receive benefits outside the United States. This tool considers your citizenship, residency, and work history to determine your eligibility.
For non-citizens, Social Security will stop benefits after you've been outside the United States for six full calendar months in a row. Here's how the counting works:
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If you left the U.S. on January 15 and did not return before February 14, you must complete a 30-day stay in the United States before the end of July to continue receiving payments. If you don't return by July 1, your benefits will stop beginning in August.
To restart benefits after they've been stopped, you must return to the U.S. and remain physically present for a full calendar month. This means you must be in the U.S. every day of the month. For example, to be considered present for the full month of August, you must arrive no later than July 31 and stay through September 1.
While living overseas, you must report any changes that might affect your benefits, including:
If you're not a U.S. citizen and plan to leave the United States for 30 days or more, you must complete Form SSA-21, Supplement to Claim of Person Outside the United States.
The rules for receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits overseas are generally the same as for retirement benefits. U.S. citizens can receive disability benefits in most countries, while non-citizens are subject to the six-month rule and possible exceptions.
If you receive disability benefits, the Social Security Administration periodically reviews your medical condition to verify you still have a qualifying disability. These Continuing Disability Reviews (CDRs) continue even when you live abroad.
The frequency of your reviews depends on the expected likelihood of medical improvement:
Your initial award notice will tell you when to expect your first medical review.
When it's time for your review, the Social Security Administration will send you a Medical Continuing Disability Review Report (SSA-454).
You can complete this form online by signing into your personal my Social Security account and selecting Complete Your Continuing Disability Review.
Failing to complete your CDR can result in termination of your disability benefits. Make sure the Social Security Administration has your current address to ensure you receive all review notices.
In addition to the general reporting requirements, disability beneficiaries must also report:
Supplemental Security Income has the strictest residency requirements of all Social Security benefits. Unlike retirement and disability benefits, SSI generally cannot be paid to individuals living outside the United States.
If you receive SSI, your benefits will stop if you leave the United States for 30 consecutive days or more. SSI benefits are also suspended if you're outside the U.S. for a full calendar month.
To receive SSI, you must be a resident of one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. You cannot receive SSI while living in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, or American Samoa.
If your SSI payments stop because you left the United States, you may be able to restart them without filing a new application if you return to the U.S. within 12 months. Contact your local Social Security office as soon as you return to the United States.
If you remain outside the U.S. for more than 12 months, you'll need to file a new application for SSI when you return.
Medicare generally doesn't cover health care services you receive outside the United States. There are a few rare exceptions when Medicare may pay for services you get in a foreign country.
Medicare may pay for inpatient hospital, doctor, and ambulance services you get in a foreign country in these limited situations:
Medicare may pay for inpatient hospital, doctor, and ambulance services you get in a foreign country in these limited situations:
Part B covers emergency and non-emergency ambulance and doctor services you get immediately before and during your covered foreign inpatient hospital stay. Medicare generally won't pay for services like return ambulance trips home or doctor services after your covered hospital stay ends.
Medicare Part D covers all vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), including certain vaccines you might need before traveling internationally, such as yellow fever, chikungunya, and Japanese encephalitis. Your Part D plan won't charge a copayment or apply a deductible for ACIP-recommended vaccines.
Foreign hospitals aren't required to file Medicare claims. If Medicare covers your foreign hospital stay, you'll need to submit an itemized bill to Medicare for your doctor, inpatient, and ambulance services.
Medigap Policies
Some Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policies provide coverage for foreign travel emergency health care. Standard Medigap Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N provide foreign travel emergency health care coverage when you travel outside the U.S.
These policies typically offer these benefits:
Medicare Advantage Plans
Some Medicare Advantage plans offer emergency coverage outside the U.S. Check with your specific plan for details about international coverage, as benefits vary widely between plans.
If you plan to live overseas for extended periods, consider purchasing additional travel health insurance or international health insurance to supplement your Medicare coverage.
The Social Security Administration offers direct deposit of benefits to bank accounts in many countries. This is the safest, most convenient way to receive your benefits while living abroad.
As of 2025, direct deposit is available in over 150 countries, including most of Europe, Australia, Japan, and many countries in South America, Africa, and Asia. The full list is available on the Social Security Administration's website.
If you live in a country where direct deposit isn't available, the Social Security Administration will send your payments by check to your address abroad. However, paper checks can be delayed, lost, or stolen.
Another option is to maintain a U.S. bank account and arrange for funds to be transferred to your local bank. This may involve additional fees but provides more security than paper checks.
When receiving Social Security benefits in a foreign country, be aware of:
U.S. citizens with foreign financial accounts may need to report them to the U.S. government if the total value exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. This is done through the Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR).
For more information about receiving Social Security benefits while living overseas, consult these resources:
Social Security's Payments Abroad Screening Tool: Helps determine if you can continue receiving benefits outside the U.S.
Publication Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States: Explains how benefits might be affected when living abroad.
Form SSA-21, Supplement to Claim of Person Outside the United States: Required for non-citizens leaving the U.S. for 30 days or more.
International Social Security agreements: May affect your benefit eligibility and amount.
If you have questions about your individual situation, contact:
Your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate
The Social Security Administration's Office of International Operations
Your local Social Security office before leaving the United States
This information is based on Social Security Administration and Medicare policies as of 2025. Policies and regulations may change, so always verify current rules before making decisions about living overseas while receiving benefits.
Before he became the go-to guru for government benefits on his YouTube channel, MyGovExpert, Dr. Ed was a District Manager for the Social Security Administration. That's right, he wasn't just reading the rulebook; he was living it, managing the folks who make the decisions. If you've ever felt like SSA speaks a different language, Dr. Ed is your translator. He's seen it all, heard it all, and now he's here to share that invaluable insider experience with you, cutting through the red tape with a healthy dose of common sense (and maybe a terrible joke or two).
But his journey didn't start there. Long before navigating bureaucratic hall ways, Dr. Ed served his country with distinction as a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fi! That discipline and commitment to service are still a core part of who he is today.
His dedication to public service also led him to a role as a Family Services Specialist with the Department of Social Services, giving him a broad perspective on the challenges many people face. And because he apparently doesn't believe in free time, Dr. Ed has also been shaping young minds as a University Adjunct Professor.
With a PhD to his name and a wealth of real-world experience, Dr. Ed Weir isn't just an expert; he's your expert. He's passionate about helping people understand their benefits and get what they're entitled to. So, if you're looking for some one who can explain complex government stuff in plain English, with a bit of humor and the authority that only comes from having been there, you've found your guy.
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