Retired recipients of Social Security must report to the Social Security Administration (SSA) if they leave the USA to live abroad, as failure to do so can lead to suspended payments. You must inform the SSA of your new address and report any trips lasting 30 days or more. SSI recipients must report a move within 10 days after the month in which it occurs because the change in location and living situation can quickly alter eligibility and benefit amounts.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) needs to know your location for several reasons, primarily for communication, identity verification, determining Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefit amounts, and adhering to international payment regulations. In essence, location is a critical data point for the SSA to ensure the right person receives the right amount of benefits at the right time, in compliance with federal and state regulations. For beneficiaries living in countries with “totalization agreements” with the U.S., specific rules apply regarding international coverage and benefit coordination.
While the SSA no longer sends the questionnaires every one to two years to check eligibility, they may send notifications occasionally and failing to respond can result in benefit suspension.
Important Note: If you have moved to Mexico long ago and failed to report your Mexican residence, it may result in immediate benefit suspension and deportation from Mexico. The idea that your USA rights to freedom of movement ceased at the Mexico/USA border. As a USA citizen you must abide by both Mexican and USA laws.
When to report
Moving abroad permanently: Report your new address and contact information to the SSA before you leave.
Leaving for 30+ days: Tell the SSA if you plan to be outside the U.S. for 30 days or more, even for a trip.
Returning to the U.S.: Be sure to notify the SSA when you return to the United States.
What to report
Your new address: If you are moving abroad, report your new address to the SSA.
Trip details: For trips of 30 days or more, provide the dates you will be gone and the countries you will visit.
Return to the U.S.: Inform the SSA of your return date.
Ongoing responsibilities
Respond to questionnaires: The SSA sends questionnaires to beneficiaries living abroad every one to two years to verify eligibility.
Failure to respond: If you do not respond, your benefit payments may be suspended.
Notes
Medicare: Medicare benefits generally do not extend outside the United States.
Country restrictions: There are certain countries where Social Security benefits cannot be sent. Check the SSA’s list if you plan to live in a country that is not a U.S. ally. If you earned Social Security benefits, you can visit or live in most foreign countries and still receive payments, as long as you report your residence abroad to the SSA.
Screening Tool: The SSA Payments Abroad Screening Tool is an online tool from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that helps Title II beneficiaries determine if they can continue to receive their Social Security payments while living or traveling abroad. You can use the tool by selecting the country you are visiting or living in to see if you are eligible for continued payments, as rules can vary depending on your citizenship and the specific country.
Non-citizens: If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need to provide evidence of your non-citizen status to continue receiving benefits upon your return to the United States.
Social Security Links
- Social Security benefits and how to apply
- Get, replace, or correct a Social Security card
- SSDI and SSI benefits for people with disabilities
- Social Security retirement calculators
- Report the death of a Social Security beneficiary
- Social Security benefits abroad
- Government checks and payments
- State social service agencies
- Government death benefits
- Report incorrect benefit payments
