Social Security benefits as an American living abroad: Everything you need to know

• US citizens can usually receive Social Security retirement, disability, and survivor benefits abroad if they qualify and live in a country where the Social Security Administration can send payments.
• Retirement benefits generally require 40 credits; in 2026, 1 credit requires $1,890 of covered earnings, and 4 credits require $7,560.
• SSA cannot send payments to Cuba or North Korea, and payments to Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are restricted.
• For 2025 tax returns filed in 2026, up to 85% of Social Security benefits may be taxable, depending on provisional income, filing status, and treaty rules.

US citizens do not lose Social Security retirement benefits just because they move abroad. The core rule for social security for expatriates is eligibility first, country restrictions second, and tax treatment third.

That order matters. A retiree in Portugal with 40 US credits may receive monthly benefits by direct deposit, while a dual citizen in a restricted country may need to use the SSA Payments Abroad Screening Tool before moving.

Taxes for Expats helps Americans abroad connect Social Security, foreign pension, and US tax rules on one 2025 tax return. If your return includes SSA-1099 income, foreign pension income, or self-employment income abroad, schedule a consultation with us before filing in 2026.

Social Security Benefits for expats

US expats can usually receive Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits abroad if they meet SSA eligibility rules and live in a country where payments are allowed. The main exception is SSI, which is needs-based and generally stops after 30 days outside the US.

For a broader filing context, review the TFX guide to US expat taxes. USA.gov also confirms that most US citizens can receive benefits while living abroad, subject to SSA country rules and ongoing reporting requirements.

Can expats collect Social Security? Yes. Social Security benefits for expatriates usually remain payable outside the United States, but SSA applies different rules to retirement benefits, disability benefits, survivor benefits, and SSI.

The 4 benefit types below follow different overseas payment rules, and SSI is the major exception for Americans abroad.

 

Social Security is not the same as Medicare, SSI, or a foreign pension. That distinction is important because social security for expats can remain payable abroad even when Medicare coverage is limited overseas or SSI stops.

How do I qualify for Social Security Benefits abroad?

For retirement benefits, most people born in 1929 or later need 40 Social Security credits. In 2026, SSA grants 1 credit for each $1,890 of covered earnings, up to 4 credits for $7,560 of covered earnings in the year.

Credits are based on covered work, not citizenship alone. A US citizen who worked abroad for a foreign employer may have fewer US credits than expected unless the work was covered by US Social Security tax or a totalization agreement.

You can review SSA’s current credit rules in its retirement credits guide. If you worked in a country with a US agreement, TFX’s guide to the certificate of coverage and A1 form explains how coverage certificates help prevent double contributions.

Based on our client scenario at TFX: a US citizen who had 20 US credits and later worked in France may be able to use the US–France totalization agreement to help qualify for benefits. SSA can combine credits for eligibility, but each country generally calculates its own benefit using its own formula.

 

Why do the United States and foreign countries have bilateral Social Security Agreements?

US Totalization Agreements are designed to prevent double Social Security taxation and protect benefit eligibility for workers who divide their careers between 2 countries. SSA explains that these agreements can avoid dual coverage, help workers combine credits, and clarify which country’s system applies.

The older phrase “bilateral Social Security agreements” is still understandable, but “Totalization Agreements” is more precise for US expat tax and benefit planning. TFX’s dedicated guide to Totalization Agreements and US expat taxes explains how these rules affect self-employed and assigned workers.

The 3 main functions of Totalization Agreements are avoiding double contributions, preserving credits, and documenting coverage.

 

These are also called international social security agreements because they coordinate 2 national systems. You can compare the detailed country rules in SSA’s agreement descriptions.

In which countries are there active Totalization Agreements with the United States?

As of 2026, the United States has Totalization Agreements with 30 countries. SSA’s list should be checked before filing or claiming benefits because new agreements, entry dates, and administrative rules can change.

TFX’s guide to bilateral Social Security agreements and US expat tax liability gives additional tax context. The official SSA Totalization Agreement overview remains the source of truth for the current country list.

The current 30 agreement countries should be verified against SSA before a 2025 return is filed in 2026.

 

A totalization agreement does not automatically make all foreign work exempt from the US Social Security tax. The agreement must apply to the worker’s employment pattern, and the employer or self-employed person may need a certificate of coverage.

Can US citizens living abroad receive Social Security?

Yes, US citizens can usually receive Social Security while living abroad if they qualify, and SSA can send payments to the country where they live. SSA applies country restrictions, continuing eligibility checks, and reporting rules even after benefits start.

You can use SSA’s payments outside the United States before moving or changing your bank account. This is especially important for retirees, disabled beneficiaries, and family members who receive dependent or survivor benefits.

Can US citizens collect Social Security while living abroad? Yes, but the answer depends on 3 checks: whether the person is eligible for the benefit, whether the country allows SSA payments, and whether the beneficiary keeps SSA updated.

Can expatriates collect Social Security? In most cases, yes. US citizenship generally makes overseas payment rules easier than noncitizen status, but it does not remove tax reporting, benefit questionnaires, or restricted-country rules.

Dual citizenship usually does not cancel US Social Security benefits. SSA generally looks at benefit eligibility, US citizen status, country of residence, and payment restrictions rather than whether the person also has a second passport.

Can you live outside the US and collect Social Security

Yes, you can live outside the US and collect Social Security in many countries, but SSA country restrictions must be checked before you move. So, can you live overseas and collect social security in your specific country, with your specific citizenship and benefit type?

SSA cannot send payments to Cuba or North Korea. SSA also restricts payments to Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, although some beneficiaries can receive withheld payments after they enter a country where payments can be sent.

Use the official SSA Payments Abroad Screening Tool before relocating. The tool checks whether payments can continue indefinitely, stop after 6 consecutive calendar months, or face a country-specific restriction.

The table below separates the 3 most important payment checks: country, citizenship, and method of payment.

 

Do not rely on old restricted-country lists. Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine, and Vietnam appeared in older article versions or historic SSA materials, but the 2026 update should point readers to SSA’s current tool instead of hardcoding outdated restrictions.

What does it mean to be outside of the United States?

For Social Security payment purposes, you are generally “outside the United States” after being outside the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa for at least 30 days in a row. SSA treats you as outside the US until you return and stay in the US for at least 30 days in a row.

• Outside the US: outside the 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa for 30 consecutive days.
• Return rule: SSA generally does not treat you as back in the US until you return and stay for 30 consecutive days.
• Why it matters: the 30-day rule can affect SSI, noncitizen payment rules, reporting duties, and whether SSA classifies a move as temporary or foreign residence.

SSA explains these rules in its booklet on payments while outside the United States. Keep travel records if your benefit depends on whether you crossed the 30-day threshold.

What do I need to do to protect my right to Social Security benefits?

To protect Social Security payments abroad, beneficiaries must keep SSA informed and respond to SSA questionnaires on time. USA.gov says some beneficiaries outside the US receive a questionnaire every 1 to 2 years, and failure to respond can stop payments.

The following 6 actions help protect Social Security benefits while abroad:

• Update your foreign address promptly so SSA can send questionnaires, notices, and tax forms.
• Return SSA questionnaires on time because nonresponse can suspend benefits.
• Report work or self-employment abroad if you receive disability benefits or are under full retirement age.
• Report marriage, divorce, adoption, death, or custody changes when they affect dependent, spouse, or survivor benefits.
• Keep direct deposit information current and confirm whether your country supports international direct deposit.
• Review your Social Security account annually for earnings history, benefit estimates, and contact details.

 

 

If you receive disability benefits, reporting work is not optional. SSA can reassess eligibility if earnings, medical improvement, or work activity crosses program limits.

Can expatriates collect Social Security benefits via direct deposit to their host country?

Yes, many beneficiaries can receive Social Security by direct deposit to a US bank or a qualifying foreign bank. SSA recommends electronic payments and offers international direct deposit in many countries, but availability depends on the country and financial institution.

Use SSA’s current international direct deposit country list before closing a US account. Beneficiaries who want foreign-bank direct deposit may need the appropriate SSA-1199 international direct deposit form.

The best direct deposit option depends on 3 factors: country availability, exchange-rate control, and bank fees.

 

Direct deposit does not change whether your benefits are taxable. It only changes how SSA sends the money and how quickly you can access it.

How will my Social Security payments be taxed?

For 2025 tax returns filed in 2026, up to 85% of Social Security benefits may be included in taxable income, but Social Security is not taxed at an 85% rate. IRS Publication 915 uses provisional income, filing status, and benefit amount to determine the taxable portion.

This is the key distinction for social security living abroad and taxes: US taxability depends on the federal formula, while host-country taxation depends on local law and any income tax treaty. Review the TFX guide to the foreign tax credit for expats if the host country also taxes the same income.

For 2025 returns, the first federal tax threshold starts at $25,000 for single filers and $32,000 for married filing jointly.

 

Provisional income generally equals half of Social Security benefits plus other income, including tax-exempt interest and certain foreign exclusions. IRS Publication 915 also says foreign earned income exclusions and foreign housing exclusions are considered in the worksheet rather than ignored.

Treaties can change the result for some US citizens living abroad. IRS Publication 915 identifies countries where certain US citizens who are residents may be exempt from US tax on US Social Security benefits, including Canada, Egypt, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Romania, and the United Kingdom, with conditions that must be checked carefully.

 

What happens to my Social Security Benefits if I am not a US citizen?

Noncitizens who leave the United States may have Social Security payments stopped after the 6th consecutive calendar month abroad unless an exception applies. Exceptions can depend on citizenship, country of residence, totalization agreement coverage, US residency history, and benefit type.

US lawful permanent residents are not always treated like US citizens for payment-abroad purposes. A green card can also raise separate immigration and tax-residency questions, so coordinate SSA rules with US tax filing obligations.

The TFX guide to Social Security tax for expats explains the tax side of the system. SSA’s noncitizen rules should be reviewed before a green card holder, foreign spouse, or foreign survivor moves outside the US.

The 4 status categories below determine whether the 6-month noncitizen rule may matter.

 

Foreign withholding can also apply to nonresident alien beneficiaries in some cases. The tax result is separate from the SSA payment rule and should be reviewed before year-end.

What if I am receiving Dependent or Survivor benefits?

Dependent and survivor benefits can be paid abroad, but foreign spouses, children, and survivors may face extra rules. One important rule is the 5-year US residency requirement for certain noncitizen dependents or survivors, unless an exception applies.

A non-US spouse may qualify for spousal or survivor benefits based on the US worker’s record. TFX explains this in more detail in its guide to whether a non-US spouse can receive survivor, dependent, or spousal benefits.

The following 4 factors commonly affect dependent, or survivor benefits abroad:

• Relationship to the worker: spouse, divorced spouse, child, disabled adult child, or parent.
• Citizenship and residence: US citizen beneficiaries generally face fewer payment restrictions than noncitizens.
• US residency history: Some noncitizen family members must meet a 5-year US residency rule.
• Agreement-country exception: residence in or citizenship of a totalization agreement country can help in specific cases.

Based on our client scenario at TFX: a US citizen retiree in Spain wanted to know whether a non-US spouse could receive survivor benefits. The answer depended on marriage duration, the spouse’s residence history, Spain’s agreement status, and SSA documentation, not just the spouse’s nationality.

Is foreign social security taxable in the US?

Foreign social security is generally treated like a foreign pension or annuity for US tax purposes unless a treaty provides a different rule. For the 2025 tax year, US citizens and residents must check the specific treaty article and the saving clause before assuming the income is excluded from a US return.

Read TFX’s guide on whether a foreign pension is taxable in the US for the baseline rule. The IRS also maintains the official United States income tax treaties A to Z, which is the starting point for treaty review.

The following 3 examples show why treaty review matters:

• UK State Pension: US citizens resident in the UK should review the US–UK treaty pension article and saving clause before deciding how the pension is taxed.
• Canadian CPP or OAS: IRS Publication 915 treats Canadian social security benefits paid to US residents similarly to US Social Security benefits, but a US citizen resident in Canada may face a different treaty result.
• French social security or pension income: France has treaty rules that may differ from the default foreign pension treatment, so the specific article and taxpayer residence must be checked.

Foreign social security may also create foreign tax credit questions if the host country taxes the same payment. The right treatment can depend on whether the payment is retirement, disability, survivor, government service, or social insurance income.

Expat Social Security tax and Medicare tax

For 2026, the Social Security wage base is $184,500, and the Medicare tax has no wage cap. Employees generally pay 6.2% Social Security tax up to the wage base and 1.45% Medicare tax on all covered wages, while self-employed taxpayers generally pay 12.4% Social Security tax plus 2.9% Medicare tax through SECA.

The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion can reduce income tax, but it does not remove self-employment tax by itself. See TFX’s guide to the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and the IRS page on Totalization Agreements before assuming foreign work is exempt from US Social Security or Medicare tax.

For 2026 planning, employees and self-employed expats face different Social Security and Medicare tax mechanics.

 

Based on our client scenario at TFX: a self-employed US citizen in Germany excluded $130,000 of foreign earned income for 2025 on Form 2555, but still needed to review SECA. A German certificate of coverage could change the result, while Form 2555 alone could not.

Do expats pay Medicare tax?

Some expats pay Medicare tax, but not all do. The result depends on whether the person works for a US employer, a foreign employer, or themselves, and whether a Totalization Agreement assigns coverage to a foreign system.

Employees of US persons working abroad may still have US payroll withholding and related payroll reporting. IRS guidance on persons employed abroad by a US person helps explain the income-tax withholding side, while the FICA result should be checked separately.

The following 4 work situations drive Medicare tax exposure abroad:

• US employer abroad: Medicare tax often applies to covered wages, even if the employee lives outside the United States.
• Foreign employer abroad: US Medicare tax often does not apply, but local social insurance may.
• Self-employment abroad: Medicare tax is part of SECA unless an agreement or exception applies.
• High income: Additional Medicare Tax can apply at $200,000 for single filers, $250,000 for married filing jointly, and $125,000 for married filing separately.

TFX’s guide to Form 8959 and Additional Medicare Tax explains when high-income taxpayers need the additional form. Form 8959 can matter even when the taxpayer lives outside the United States.

Do expats pay social security tax?

Some expats pay US Social Security tax, and some do not. For 2025, the Social Security wage base is $176,100; for 2026, it rises to $184,500, so payroll and self-employment calculations must use the correct year.

Do US expats pay Social Security tax?It depends on who pays them, where they work, whether they are self-employed, and whether a Totalization Agreement applies. Digital nomads should be especially careful because moving countries does not automatically stop the US self-employment tax.

See TFX’s guide to digital nomad taxes for mobile work issues. SSA’s official contribution and benefit base page gives the current wage base by year.

The 5-step decision tree below identifies whether the US Social Security tax may apply abroad.

 

Because the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion does not eliminate SECA, a self-employed expat can owe US Social Security and Medicare tax even when income tax is reduced to zero.

Does FEIE apply to Social Security benefits or Social Security tax?

No, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion does not apply to Social Security benefits because benefits are not earned income. FEIE also does not eliminate the US self-employment tax, so a self-employed expat may still owe SECA even when Form 2555 excludes foreign earned income from income tax.

Quick takeaways

• Social Security benefits: not foreign earned income, so they are not excludable under FEIE.
• Self-employment income: may qualify for FEIE for income tax purposes, but SECA can still apply.
• 2025 FEIE amount: up to $130,000 per qualifying person for the 2025 tax year.
• 2026 FEIE amount: up to $132,900 per qualifying person for the 2026 tax year.

TFX’s guide to Form 2555 and the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion explains the filing mechanics. The IRS Foreign Earned Income Exclusion guidance explains that the exclusion applies to foreign earned income, not Social Security benefits.

Based on our client scenario at TFX: a consultant in Mexico excluded foreign earned income on Form 2555 for 2025, but still had to review Schedule SE. The client’s Social Security retirement benefits were reported separately on Form 1040 line 6a and potentially line 6b.

Social Security Fairness Act: what changed for expats with foreign pensions

The Social Security Fairness Act was signed on January 5, 2025, and ended the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset for benefits payable for January 2024 and later. This matters to some expats with foreign pensions because SSA says the affected group includes people whose work was covered by a foreign Social Security system.

Before the change, WEP could reduce Social Security retirement or disability benefits for some workers who also had a pension from non-covered work. GPO could reduce spousal or survivor benefits for some people who received a government pension from non-covered work.

The new SSA guidance on the Social Security Fairness Act tells beneficiaries to keep their mailing address and direct deposit information current. Most affected beneficiaries began receiving adjusted monthly payments in April 2025, and SSA’s one-time payment generally covers benefit increases back to January 2024. If you received a retroactive Social Security payment in 2025, it should appear on your 2025 SSA-1099 and may affect the taxable amount on Form 1040 lines 6a and 6b.

 

 

This change does not mean every foreign pension increases US Social Security benefits. It means WEP and GPO no longer reduce benefits for affected months beginning January 2024, but SSA still calculates eligibility and payment amounts under its regular rules.

Social Security vs SSI for Americans abroad

Social Security and SSI are different programs, and the overseas rules are not the same. Social Security retirement, SSDI, and survivor benefits may be paid abroad in many countries, while SSI generally stops after a full calendar month or 30 consecutive days outside the United States.

This distinction is one of the most important points in social security while living abroad. A retiree with 40 credits may keep receiving retirement benefits in Spain, while an SSI recipient can lose eligibility after crossing the 30-day foreign absence rule.

The 4 program categories below separate benefits that may be used when traveling abroad from SSI, which generally does not.

 

Your 2025 return may include Social Security benefits, foreign pension income, Form 2555, Form 1116, and treaty questions. Get project pricing before gathering documents. Get your Instant Quote today, so Taxes for Expats can begin working with you.