Social Security online account impossible to create for non-US residents - any workarounds?

Same problem here in Thailand! Been overseas 7 years and never been able to set up the online account. Called SSA about it last year and they just said 'sorry that's how the system works' 🙄

You might be able to use a friend or family member's US phone number for the initial verification. That's what I did when I moved to Spain. My daughter in Boston let me use her number, and once the account was set up, I could access it from anywhere. The phone verification is really just for the initial setup.

I work with many expat clients, and this is a common frustration. Unfortunately, SSA has no immediate plans to change this requirement because of their security protocols. A few potential solutions: 1. Maintain a US-based VoIP number like Google Voice (though you mentioned this didn't work - some have had success with paid VoIP services) 2. Use a trusted relative's US number (as mentioned above) 3. If you're visiting the US, you can go to any SSA office in person to request they help with account creation 4. Consider a mail forwarding service that digitizes your SSA correspondence The system is definitely behind the times regarding international access.

the whole system is RIGGED against expats!!! ive lived in colombia 5 years now and SSA treats us like second class citizens. they expect us to either fly back to america every time we need help or wait MONTHS for mail responses. its not just the online accounts either - try getting ANY help when overseas and youll see how the system is designed to frustrate us until we give up!!!!!

Just wanted to share my workaround. I kept my U.S. bank account and a basic prepaid T-Mobile plan ($15/month) with a US number specifically for things like this. Yes, it's an extra expense, but it's worth it for maintaining access to financial accounts, government services, etc. The phone stays in a drawer in my apartment in Malaysia and I only use it via WiFi for receiving verification codes.

I forgot to mention another important point - if you're having trouble with the online account, make sure you've notified SSA of your foreign address through their official change of address process. Some expats don't realize this is a separate requirement from setting up direct deposit to a foreign bank or US bank. If they don't have your current address on file, it can cause other issues with your online access attempts.

my wifes cousin works for ssa and she said they actually ARE working on a solution for international beneficiaries but its been delayed bc of budget issues. supposed to roll out sometime next year maybe

I'm in a similar situation but living in Germany. What worked for me was using a combination of approaches - I kept a Google Fi phone plan ($20/month) specifically for US services verification, and also set up mail forwarding through MyUS.com. The Google Fi number works reliably for SSA verification codes since it's technically a real US mobile number, unlike regular Google Voice. It's been 2 years now and I can access my MySocialSecurity account without issues. The monthly cost is annoying but worth it for the peace of mind of having digital access to my benefits info.

I'm dealing with this exact issue from Canada! Been trying to set up my MySocialSecurity account for months with no luck. The phone verification system is so frustrating - it's like they forgot that US citizens can live anywhere in the world. I've been considering the Google Fi option that @Mei Lin mentioned, but I'm curious if anyone has tried other solutions like using a US-based virtual assistant service to handle the phone verification? Some of these services can receive calls and texts on your behalf. It might be worth exploring for those of us who don't want to maintain a US phone plan permanently.

I've been living in the UK for 4 years and finally found a solution that works! After trying multiple approaches, I ended up using a service called NumberBarn to port my old US cell number to their platform for about $2/month. It maintains the number as a "real" US number that can receive SMS verification codes, and I can access the messages through their web portal from anywhere. Set up my MySocialSecurity account last month without any issues. The verification codes come through instantly and SSA's system accepts it without problems. Way cheaper than maintaining a full phone plan and more reliable than the VoIP options I tried before. Just thought I'd share since this thread has been so helpful!

I'm facing this exact same frustration from Italy! Been retired here for 2 years and still can't access my MySocialSecurity account. The NumberBarn solution from @Taylor Chen sounds promising - $2/month is definitely more reasonable than the Google Fi option. I've been relying on my nephew in Chicago to help with occasional phone verifications, but it's awkward having to coordinate with him every few months. Has anyone tried contacting their local US consulate about this issue? I'm wondering if they have any official workarounds or if they can advocate with SSA on behalf of expat citizens. It really does feel like we're treated as second-class citizens when it comes to digital access to our own earned benefits. The system desperately needs modernization for the reality that many Americans live globally in retirement.

I've been dealing with this same nightmare from New Zealand for over a year now! The whole system is so outdated - it's like SSA assumes all beneficiaries live permanently in the US. I tried the Google Voice route like you did, but they've gotten stricter about detecting VoIP numbers. One thing I discovered is that if you have any upcoming travel to the US planned, you can actually visit a local SSA office and they can help set up your online account in person with proper ID verification. They bypass the phone number requirement entirely when you're there physically. I managed to do this during a family visit last summer and finally got access to my account. For those who can't travel back anytime soon, the NumberBarn solution @Taylor Chen mentioned sounds like the most cost-effective approach I've heard. Way better than paying $20/month for Google Fi just to access government services we already paid into for decades. This whole situation really highlights how behind the times federal agencies are when it comes to serving Americans abroad.

I'm currently going through this exact same frustration from Japan! Been here for 6 months and hitting the same wall with the phone verification requirement. The NumberBarn solution that several people mentioned sounds like exactly what I need - $2/month is so much more reasonable than maintaining a full US phone plan just for occasional verification codes. One additional tip I discovered: if you're still in the process of moving abroad, try to set up your MySocialSecurity account BEFORE you leave the US if possible. I wish I had done this while I still had my US phone number active. Would have saved me months of headache trying to figure out workarounds from overseas. For anyone considering the various solutions mentioned here, it seems like the hierarchy from most to least reliable is: 1) In-person SSA office visit (if traveling to US), 2) NumberBarn or similar number porting service, 3) Google Fi, 4) Using family/friend's number, 5) Free VoIP services. The NumberBarn option really seems like the sweet spot of cost vs reliability based on everyone's experiences shared here.

I'm experiencing the exact same issue from France! Been trying to set up my MySocialSecurity account for months with no success. The phone verification requirement is incredibly frustrating for expats. After reading through all these suggestions, the NumberBarn solution sounds like the most practical approach - $2/month is so much more reasonable than Google Fi's $20/month, and it seems more reliable than the free VoIP options that SSA has been cracking down on. I'm curious though - for those who have successfully used NumberBarn or similar services, how long does the porting process typically take? I'm eager to get this resolved but want to set realistic expectations. Also, has anyone had success using these ported numbers for other US financial services that require phone verification? It would be great if this solution works across the board for all the US accounts I need to maintain while living abroad. This whole thread has been incredibly valuable - it's reassuring to know so many other expats are dealing with the same challenges, and the shared solutions give me hope that I can finally get digital access to my benefits information!