The Complete Guide to Staying Abroad Without Losing Your Social Security Benefits

If you’re dreaming of spending your retirement years exploring new countries and experiencing different cultures, you might be wondering whether you can actually stay abroad without losing your hard-earned Social Security benefits. The good news is that in most situations, the answer is yes—and there are no restrictive time limits on how long you can remain overseas.

No Expiration Date: How Long You Can Live Internationally

One of the most reassuring facts about U.S. Social Security is that there’s essentially no time limit for how long you can stay abroad and continue receiving your monthly payments. Whether you plan to spend a few years or the rest of your retirement outside America, your benefits will keep flowing—as long as you maintain the required compliance.

The main requirement is straightforward: you’ll need to submit proof-of-life documentation and complete Social Security Form SSA-7162 annually (or sometimes biannually). This two-page form asks about changes to your residency status, marital status, and other life circumstances. Once submitted and approved, your payments continue without interruption.

It’s worth noting that you’ll still be required to file a U.S. tax return each year, even while collecting benefits abroad. Additionally, if you’re receiving a pension from a foreign employer, your Social Security benefits might be reduced—a detail worth discussing with a tax professional before making your move.

Who Can Collect Benefits While Living Overseas

The rules vary depending on your citizenship status and the type of benefits you receive:

U.S. Citizens: American retirees, along with those collecting disability or survivor benefits, can generally receive payments from almost any country. This flexibility applies to retirement benefits, disability insurance, and survivor benefits.

Non-U.S. Citizens: If you’re not a U.S. citizen, the eligibility rules become more complex and depend heavily on your country of residence and how long you plan to stay abroad. Your specific situation may require reviewing Social Security Administration guidelines for your particular country.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI): This benefit is restricted to U.S. residents only, as it’s based on financial resources rather than your work history. If you’re relying on SSI payments for retirement income, relocating abroad isn’t an option.

Nine Countries Where Your Benefits Stop

While you can stay abroad in most places worldwide, there are nine nations where Social Security payments cannot be sent. If you’re a U.S. citizen living in any of these countries, your benefits will be suspended:

• Azerbaijan
• Belarus
• Cuba
• Kazakhstan
• Kyrgyzstan
• North Korea
• Tajikistan
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan

Here’s an important detail: if you temporarily stay in any of these nine countries (except Cuba and North Korea), you’ll eventually receive retroactive payment for the months you were ineligible once you move to an approved country. However, if you reside in Cuba or North Korea, you forfeit any payments withheld during that period—they won’t be paid retroactively.

Planning Your International Retirement

The trend toward overseas retirement is growing steadily. According to the Social Security Administration, approximately 760,000 Americans currently collect benefits while living abroad. This represents a dramatic increase from 2000, when fewer than 400,000 retirees were receiving payments internationally—more than doubling in just two decades.

Before making your move, consider these practical steps:

• Verify your eligibility: Confirm whether your citizenship status and benefit type allow for international payments
• Understand tax implications: Plan for ongoing U.S. tax obligations and potential impacts from foreign pensions
• Prepare documentation: Ensure you can easily access and submit required forms annually
• Research your destination: Verify that your chosen country permits Social Security payments and establish how you’ll handle banking for international transfers

The bottom line is this: you can stay abroad for as long as you wish and continue receiving your Social Security benefits, as long as you follow the annual documentation requirements and avoid the nine restricted countries. With proper planning and compliance, international retirement is entirely feasible for most American retirees.