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

You can absolutely continue receiving Social Security benefits while living in most foreign countries! I moved to Mexico three years ago and still get my full retirement benefits through direct deposit to my US bank account. Portugal is definitely not on the restricted country list (which currently includes countries like Cuba, North Korea, etc.). The main thing you need to do is notify SSA before you move, and you'll need to complete periodic questionnaires they send to verify you're still alive. You can set up direct deposit to a US bank and access your money from Portugal. Keep in mind that some countries have totalization agreements with the US that affect how benefits work.

my uncle moved to spain 4 yrs ago still gets SS checks but had problems at first with the mail delivery there. better to keep us bank account and do direct deposit

While most people can receive benefits abroad, you should be aware of a few IMPORTANT things: 1. If you're not a US citizen, different rules may apply depending on your immigration status 2. Some benefits like SSI CANNOT be received outside the US 3. The SSA requires you to complete Form SSA-21 (Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire) periodically 4. Benefits to non-citizens may stop after 6 months in certain countries 5. Tax implications vary by country - Portugal has a tax treaty with the US but you'll want to consult an expat tax specialist Make sure you're very clear about which type of benefits you're receiving before making plans.

I TRIED CALLING THE SSA FOR 3 DAYS STRAIGHT to ask this EXACT question when my sister wanted to move to Thailand!!! No one EVER picked up and the one time I got through after 2 HOURS on hold they transferred me and I got disconnected!!! The whole system is BROKEN!

my neighbor moveed to canada and the ssa made him fill out papers every 6 months to prove he was still alive lol. but he got his checks no problem. i think as long as your not going to like north korea or something your fine

Wait I'm confused. Doesn't Social Security stop once you leave the US for more than 6 months? I thought I read that somewhere on the SSA website. Is there a difference between retirement and disability for this?

also remember if u move to portugal u still have to file us taxes every year. my friend forgot and got in big trouble

One more important detail: if you're planning to have your payments deposited to a Portuguese bank, be aware that the SSA has a International Direct Deposit program that works with banks in Portugal. However, you should verify with your specific Portuguese bank that they participate in this program before setting it up. Many expats find it simpler to maintain a US bank account and then transfer funds as needed to their local account. This also provides protection against any potential disruptions in international payment systems.

i have a friend who moved to ecuador 3 years ago and still gets her ss payments just fine. she said she gets a form once a year that she has to fill out and send back, and thats it. super easy! she loves it there and her ss check goes way further there than it did in florida.

To summarize for the original poster: Yes, you can move to Portugal and continue receiving your Social Security retirement benefits without interruption. You should: 1. Notify SSA before you move (ideally 3 months before) 2. Set up direct deposit to a US bank for simplicity 3. Be prepared to complete periodic questionnaires 4. Research the US-Portugal tax treaty to understand tax implications 5. Keep your mySocialSecurity account active so you can manage things online You can find all this information in the SSA publication "Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States" on the SSA website.

Just wanted to add one more thing that might be helpful - I work for an international benefits consulting firm and we see a lot of folks making this move. Portugal is actually one of the easier countries for US retirees because of their D7 visa program and the tax treaty. One tip that hasn't been mentioned: consider opening your Portuguese bank account BEFORE you move if possible. Many Portuguese banks will let you do this remotely if you're planning to become a resident. This way you can test the international transfer process while you're still in the US and have easy access to customer service if anything goes wrong. Also, Portugal has excellent healthcare for retirees, but make sure you understand how Medicare works (or doesn't work) outside the US. You'll likely need private international health insurance or Portuguese health insurance to supplement what Medicare doesn't cover abroad.