If you are an Insured Worker planning to stay in the U.S.
- Continue contributing to the Social Security Administration (SSA).
- Check with the SSA to see if you or any of your family members are eligible to apply for Social Security Benefits by answering a few questions on the SSA website at ssa.gov/prepare/check-eligibility-for-benefits. Have Social Security Numbers (SSNs) and birth certificates readily available.
- Inform your family members that they may be entitled to Dependent and Survivors Benefits if you pass away and confirm that they know how to apply for these benefits at ssa.gov/apply.
If you are an Insured Worker Considering a Voluntary Departure to Your Home Country
(Note: This is not the same as a grant of Voluntary Return which occurs only when someone is detained at the border and offered the chance to “turn around” by U.S. Customs & Border Patrol officers. )
You may continue receiving Social Security Benefits payments while you are outside the U.S. depending on the destination country.[1]
- Confirm with the SSA that payments can be sent to your destination country.
- Report any change of address promptly to avoid lost or delayed payments and mail. This includes:
- Your new country, home address, and ZIP or postal code.
- The names of all family members moving to the new address.
- If your destination country is eligible, once you are outside the U.S. you must:
- Complete an annual questionnaire sent by the SSA between May and June; and
- Report any changes such as:
- Address changes.
- Employment status.
- Improvement in disability.
- Marriage, divorce, annulment, or adoption.
- A child leaving the care of a spouse.
- If a child nearing age 18 is a full-time student or disabled.
- Death.
- Inability to manage funds.
- Deportation or removal from the U.S.Changes in parental circumstances.
- Eligibility for a pension from work.
- Consider signing up for direct deposit to avoid problems with lost checks.
Note: SSI Benefits can never be received if you are outside of the U.S. for more than 1 month.
If You Are a Dependent or Survivor Considering a Voluntary Departure to Your Home Country
You may continue receiving Social Security Benefits payments while outside the U.S. depending on your destination country. If the country is eligible, you must meet the following requirements to continue receiving benefits:
- Residency Requirement: Show that you lived in the U.S. for at least five years.
- Family Relationship Requirement: During those five years, the family relationship on which the benefits are based must have continued to exist.
Exception: If your entitlement is based on a worker who died during U.S. military service or as a result of a service-connected disease or injury.
Note: These requirements are automatically met for a child who has not lived in the U.S. for 5 years if the Insured Worker and other parent meet both requirements. However, Social Security Benefits will not be paid to a child that is adopted outside of the U.S. while they are residing outside of the U.S., even if they meet the residency requirement.
Complete the SSA’s annual questionnaire and be sure to notify the SSA of any changes, as outlined above to stay in compliance.
[1] For more information, see: ssa.gov/international/payments.html