Can you live abroad and collect social security disability? US guide

If you’re a US retiree moving abroad, social security will likely be an essential part of your income. You can use social security payments to support yourself after retirement or a workplace disability.

But can you live abroad and collect social security disability? We’ll take a look at everything you need to know, including how to claim your benefits from overseas.

We'll also introduce the Wise account, which allows you to send, spend, and receive your money across the globe in over 40 currencies – all at the fair mid-market rate.

Learn more 🔎

Table of contents
What are social security benefits? Can you live abroad and collect social security disability? Make low cost international transfers with Wise Can I receive social security abroad if I’m not a US citizen? How to apply for social security outside the US How long can I stay abroad without losing my benefits?

What are social security benefits?

Social security is a federal insurance program that pays benefits to certain groups of society, including retirees, workers who become disabled, and surviving family members.

The US Social Security Administration (SSA) provides an income to those who qualify, but you’ll most likely contribute to the social security system yourself during your working years.

You’ll usually pay social security as tax on your paychecks or self-employment tax returns. You’ll need to have paid into the system for at least 10 years to qualify for retirement benefits. You’ll also need to be at least 62 years old.

However, if you can’t receive your regular income due to a disability, you may also qualify for social security benefits. If you pass away before you can claim social security, your spouse or children may be able to claim money on your behalf.

The exact amount you’ll receive in social security will differ depending on your age, contributions, and income level.

The SSA uses a calculation of your average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) during your 35 highest-earning years to work out how much you’ll get for retirement.¹

Can you live abroad and collect social security disability?

So, can you live abroad and collect social security? The answer will differ depending on where you decide to retire overseas.

In most cases, you should be able to receive social security benefits abroad. You may even be able to use foreign work credits toward your social security retirement benefits if your country has a favorable agreement with the US.²

🚨 However, there are some countries where you can’t collect US social security abroad, including:

• North Korea
• Cuba
• Uzbekistan
• Kazakhstan
• Turkmenistan
• Azerbaijan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Belarus
• Tajikistan³

This is typically because the SSA isn’t allowed to transfer social security for expats, but there are some exceptions for those who meet the SSA’s restricted payment conditions. Contact the SSA or your local Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) for more information.³

If you decide to move to a country where you can’t receive social security benefits, the SSA will hold onto them for you until you’re in a country where they can be paid.³

This is a good option if you’re moving to a restricted country temporarily, if you’re travelling between locations, or if you plan to return to the US.

Seek advice from the SSA or the relevant authority in your new country to find out exactly how moving abroad from the US will affect your retirement and disability benefits.

You can also use the online SSA Payments Abroad Screening Tool to check if there are any limits or restrictions in your country of choice.²

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Can I receive social security abroad if I’m not a US citizen?

If you’re not a US citizen, you’ll likely stop receiving your social security benefits after your 6th calendar month outside the US.

However, in some cases, you may be able to apply for an exemption. This should ensure you continue to receive social security benefits, even while you live abroad.

You can also make regular visits back to the US to re-activate your social security payments. You must physically and lawfully reside in the US for a full calendar month to restart your retirement or disability benefits again.

The SSA doesn’t start counting your 6 calendar months of absence until you’ve officially been outside the US for 30 days. If you return to the US before those 30 days are up, the SSA’s timer resets.⁴

Travelling back and forth between your new home abroad and your home in the US can help you avoid losing your social security disability benefits as a non-citizen.

There are also some special rules for citizens in certain countries, such as:

• Austria
• Poland
• Brazil
• Portugal
• Spain
• Ireland
• Italy
• Chile
• Japan
• Korea
• United Kingdom

If you are a citizen of one of these countries – and you’re eligible for US social security – you can continue to receive benefit payments no matter how long you stay outside the US.

Speak to the SSA for a full list of eligible locations and how to make the most of exemptions as a non-citizen.⁵

How to apply for social security outside the US

You can use the SSA’s easy online portal to apply for social security benefits outside the US. Once you’ve completed any necessary forms or checks, you’ll receive your benefits via direct deposit into your bank account.²

If you use an international bank account, it’s likely you’ll lose out to currency conversion charges on any US dollar deposits.

Your bank will exchange your USD into the right currency for you – and this typically takes place at a markup on the fair mid-market exchange rate.

Choose a transfer provider like Wise to save on hefty currency conversion charges for all your transactions, including digital, low-fee transfers to and from the US!

If you want to apply for a new social security card abroad, simply follow these steps:

Step 1. Schedule an appointment with your local FBU or US embassy. It’s quicker to complete your application via an FBU, but not all locations have them

Step 2. Complete Form SS-5-FS and collect any required documents for your application. You’ll likely need your US passport and birth certificate, for example

Step 3. Go to your appointment – you may be interviewed if you’re over 12 years old and this is your first social security card

Step 4. Finally, you’ll need to wait for your application to be processed. This will take 3 to 4 weeks if you use an FBU⁶

💡 You’ll need to complete an SSA questionnaire every 1 to 2 years while abroad. This ensures you’re still eligible to receive benefits from the SSA for your retirement or disability income.²

How long can I stay abroad without losing my benefits?

The amount of time you can stay abroad may depend on the type of benefits you can claim and where you want to move.

If you’re a US citizen, there’s no time limit on when your social security benefits will stop. As long as you continue to meet the necessary requirements, you can collect social security disability abroad indefinitely.

However, you’ll need to report any changes in your situation to the SSA. These changes may affect your retirement or disability benefits.

You’ll receive regular questionnaires from the SSA while you live overseas, but you can choose to report changes at any time.⁷

You’ll also need to fill out Form SSA-7162 to provide proof of life and tell the SSA of any changes in marital status, disability, or residency, for example.⁸

If you’re not a US citizen, different rules apply. You’ll need to ensure you come back to the US on a regular basis to avoid losing your social security benefits while out of the country.

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International retirement is an exciting prospect for US citizens, but it’s important to be prepared. If you want to live abroad, always look into where you can and can’t collect social security disability overseas.

The SSA doesn’t pay out social security in some countries. You’ll also need to consider what your citizenship status abroad means for your income allowance.

To receive online social security payments into your account – all at the fair mid-market exchange rate – open a Wise account today!

Sources

1. Investopedia - Social security explained
2. USA.gov - Getting social security benefits if you are living outside the US
3. SSA - Your payments while you are outside the United States
4. SSA - Social security payments outside the United States
5. SSA - Your payments while you are outside the United States
6. Greenback Tax Services - How to get a social security card while living abroad
7. Rob Levine Law - Can you live abroad and collect social security disability?
8. US News - How long can you live abroad before losing social security?

Sources checked 06/05/2025