If you plan to live outside the United States, you can still receive your Social Security benefits. Moving abroad does not automatically stop your payments. However, there are some important rules and restrictions you should know to keep your benefits uninterrupted.
When Can Social Security Payments Be Suspended Abroad?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a list of countries where payments cannot be sent. These restrictions often apply to countries facing U.S. sanctions or those with unstable financial or postal systems.
If you live in one of these countries, your benefits may be stopped immediately. To get payments again, you must move to an eligible country and update your address with the SSA.
Countries Where Social Security Payments Are Restricted or Suspended
- Cuba: Payments are held until you move to an approved country.
- North Korea: No payments allowed while residing there.
- Belarus: Payments suspended due to U.S. sanctions.
- Iran: Direct payments are generally prohibited unless approved by the Treasury.
- Ukraine (Occupied Regions): Payments may be withheld in areas under Russian control like Crimea, Donetsk, and Lugansk.
- Russia: Due to banking sanctions, payments may be suspended.
What Should You Do If You Move Abroad?
You must report your new address to the SSA as soon as possible. You can update your address:
- Online via the My Social Security account
- By phone
- At a U.S. consulate or embassy
Keeping your address current helps prevent payment delays or stoppages.
How Are Social Security Payments Made Internationally?
Since 2011, most international payments are made by direct electronic deposit into a bank account. This method is mandatory for new beneficiaries living abroad.
In rare cases, paper checks may be mailed, but only if the country’s postal system is reliable.
When Will You Receive Social Security Payments Abroad?
Payments for beneficiaries living outside the U.S. are usually made on the 3rd of every month. If the 3rd falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the payment is moved to the last business day before.
For those receiving both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the SSI payment arrives on the 1st of the month, while Social Security payments come on the 3rd.
Living abroad doesn’t mean you lose your Social Security benefits, but you must be aware of the countries where payments are restricted and the rules for updating your address. Most payments are electronically transferred on the 3rd of each month, keeping your financial support steady even while overseas.