Can I still receive Social Security benefits if I move outside the US permanently?

Thank you so much! That's a huge relief. Do you know if there's a specific form I need to submit to the SSA before leaving? And do they send those questionnaires by mail to your foreign address?

Good tip about keeping a US bank account - I was wondering about that. Did your uncle have issues getting the initial approval to receive benefits abroad?

This is really helpful information. I am a US citizen and will be receiving regular retirement benefits, not SSI. I hadn't thought about the tax implications though - will definitely look into that.

I had the same nightmare trying to get through to SSA about my international benefits question. I finally used a service called Claimyr and got through to an agent in 20 minutes instead of waiting for hours. They connected me directly to SSA and I got all my international benefit questions answered in one call. Saved me so much frustration! You can see how it works at https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU or just go to claimyr.com - was worth it to finally get my questions answered.

This is correct - the "proof of life" questionnaire is standard for beneficiaries living abroad. However, it's important to note that the requirements vary by country and age. Some countries have electronic verification systems in place while others require the paper forms. Always notify SSA of address changes promptly to avoid payment suspension.

You're confusing SSI (Supplemental Security Income) with SSDI or retirement benefits. SSI payments DO stop if you're outside the US for more than 30 days. But regular Social Security retirement benefits and SSDI can continue no matter how long you live outside the US (with some country exceptions). This is a very common misunderstanding!

Oh wow, I hadn't even thought about that part. So I'd be dealing with both Portuguese taxes AND US taxes? That sounds complicated.

That's excellent advice! I think I'll definitely keep my US bank account open and just transfer money as needed. Seems much safer that way.

But does your friend in Ecuador have citizenship there or is she just living there on a visa? I heard that makes a difference with how long you can receive benefits? This whole international thing is so confusing...

This is so helpful! I'll definitely download that publication and read through it. Knowing I can keep my benefits while living in Portugal changes everything for my retirement plans. Thank you all for the fantastic advice!

This is incredibly helpful advice! I hadn't even thought about opening a Portuguese bank account before moving - that's such a smart idea to test everything while I'm still here. And you're absolutely right about the healthcare situation. I was so focused on the Social Security aspect that I completely overlooked how Medicare wouldn't work there. Do you happen to know if there are any particular international health insurance companies that work well for US retirees in Portugal? I really appreciate the professional insight!

@Carmen Diaz That s'fantastic professional advice! I m'actually the original poster StarSurfer (but) posting from my other account. The tip about opening a Portuguese bank account beforehand is brilliant - I never would have thought of that. And you re'absolutely right about Medicare not working abroad, that s'a huge gap I need to plan for. Do you have any recommendations for international health insurance providers that work well in Portugal? Also, I m'curious about the D7 visa process - is that something I should start applying for now, or wait until closer to my move date next year? Really appreciate having someone with professional experience chime in on this thread!

@Carmen Diaz This is such valuable professional insight! I m'relatively new to thinking about international retirement and your point about testing the banking setup beforehand is genius. I m'curious - when you work with clients making this transition, what are the most common mistakes you see people make with their Social Security benefits when moving abroad? And do you find that most people underestimate the healthcare planning aspect like I clearly have? Your mention of the D7 visa has me wondering if there are specific timing considerations for the visa application process relative to when someone wants to start collecting Social Security benefits.

@Carmen Diaz This is incredibly valuable information! As someone who s'been researching this move for months, your professional perspective really fills in the gaps I didn t'even know existed. The banking setup tip is genius - I can see how testing transfers while still having easy access to US customer service would save so much headache later. I m'particularly interested in your mention of the D7 visa. I ve'seen it referenced but wasn t'sure about the timeline. Should I be starting that application process now for a 2025 move? Also, regarding international health insurance - are there providers that specialize in US expat coverage that you d'recommend, or should I be looking at Portuguese private insurance options? The healthcare piece is honestly what I m'most nervous about since Medicare won t'help abroad. Really appreciate you sharing your professional expertise here!

@Giovanni Marino This is exactly the kind of real-world experience I was hoping to hear about! Thank you for mentioning the Federal Benefits Unit at the US Embassy - I had no idea that resource existed. That sounds like it could save me from making costly mistakes during the transition. Your point about Portuguese tax residency is really important too. I ve'been so focused on keeping my US Social Security benefits that I hadn t'fully considered how Portugal would tax them on their end. The idea of consulting with an expat tax advisor who knows both systems makes complete sense - probably worth the investment to get it right from the start. Did you end up keeping your US bank account for your Social Security deposits, or were you able to set up direct deposit to a Costa Rican bank? And how long did the whole notification/setup process take with the SSA once you were ready to move?

@Giovanni Marino This is really helpful practical advice! I hadn t'heard of the Federal Benefits Unit before - that sounds like exactly what I need to avoid any bureaucratic nightmares. Quick question about the tax situation: when you mention becoming a Portuguese tax resident, is that automatic once you live there for a certain period, or is it something you actively choose? I m'trying to figure out if there s'a way to structure my residency status to minimize tax complications while still being able to live there long-term. Also, did Costa Rica require any special documentation from the SSA to prove your benefit status when you applied for residency there? I m'wondering if Portugal might have similar requirements for their D7 visa process.

@Nadia Zaldivar This is incredibly reassuring to hear from someone who s'actually living it! Your experience gives me so much confidence about making this move. The fact that you ve'been there since 2022 and everything has worked smoothly with your Social Security benefits is exactly what I needed to hear. I m'really intrigued by your mention of Portugal s'NHR program - I hadn t'come across that in my research yet. Getting favorable tax treatment on Social Security income for 10 years sounds amazing! Is that something you apply for separately, or does it automatically apply when you become a Portuguese resident? Also, when you say you used SSA s'online portal to notify them, was that through the mySocialSecurity account? I want to make sure I m'using the right channel when the time comes. Your tip about updating the address promptly is noted - I can definitely see how getting those annual forms delayed could cause major headaches when you re'thousands of miles away from any SSA office. Thank you so much for sharing your real-world experience - it s'incredibly helpful to hear from someone who s'successfully made this exact transition!

@Eli Wang Great questions! I m'also in the early planning stages for a similar move and hadn t'thought about the travel back to the US aspect. That s'definitely something I need to research - I d'hate to accidentally jeopardize my residency status by spending too much time visiting family back home. Your point about coordinating the logistics of closing out US life while setting up in Portugal is spot on. I ve'been wondering about things like: Do you sell your US house before you move or after you re'established in Portugal? How do you handle getting a Portuguese address for all the SSA paperwork if you don t'have housing lined up yet? And what about things like US driver s'license, voter registration, etc.? This thread has been such a goldmine of real-world information. It s'amazing how much more helpful it is to hear from people who ve'actually done this versus trying to piece together official government websites that seem designed to confuse rather than clarify! @Nadia Zaldivar @Giovanni Marino - if either of you have insights on the travel/residency balance or the logistics coordination, I d love to'hear about your experiences!