Reaching retirement in the United States is a great thing for all its workers. Being able to stop working and start collecting Social Security is a break for all the people who have been working for a long time. It is a great reward for all Americans who have given part of their lives for their country, paying taxes and providing labor. The Social Security Administration was created with the intention of giving seniors a well-deserved break.
However, many retirees do not want to spend their retirement in the United States. This is normal and understandable. Whether a Social Security user or not, human beings always want to discover new things. So it makes sense that they would want to spend part of their retirement abroad. And you know what? You may be able to do so and collect Social Security at the same time.
Collecting Social Security abroad
To collect Social Security abroad we have to meet two basic requirements. The first is to have an accepted SSA benefit. It may seem obvious, but sometimes it is good to remember it. If you have an accepted benefit, it is very likely that you will be able to collect it abroad.
In most countries you will be able to enjoy your benefit from the United States Social Security Administration. However, there are some countries where you will not be able to receive the money. Before you make any decisions, check the list of countries where you can continue to collect your SSA benefit.
In addition to that, you should also keep in mind that some countries have other requirements. For example, there are some countries where you can collect your benefit indefinitely, but there are some countries where after 6 months the government cuts off payments.
In any case, moving to another country is a very important decision and if you do so, you should think very carefully beforehand. Taxes and COLA also affect Social Security beneficiaries living abroad. And don’t forget that there are countries where it is cheaper to live, so these may be a better option.