Thinking of Moving Abroad? Here's How It Will Impact Your Social Security

By Dana George – Mar 22, 2026 at 4:26AM ESTKey PointsIt’s not uncommon for retirees to spend their golden years in a country that better matches what they’re looking for. For the first time since the Great Depression, more people are leaving the U.S. than entering. Before you go, though, make sure the country you’re moving to makes collecting Social Security benefits possible.If you're considering a move abroad, you're certainly not alone. For the first time in 90 years, the U.S. experienced negative net migration in 2025 -- and it's a trend expected to continue. In other words, more people left the U.S. last year than settled here, including American citizens. The last time this happened was in 1935, at the height of the Great Depression, when more than 100,000 Americans emigrated to other countries in search of work. Today, the reason people are leaving is not quite so straightforward. While some are leaving for political reasons, others simply want to experience something different. If you're retired and considering moving outside the U.S., it's natural to wonder if doing so will impact your Social Security benefits. The answer is, it depends on where you're moving. Here are three things you should know about relocating abroad while receiving Social Security benefits. Image source: Getty Images. You will likely remain eligible for benefits If, as you planned for retirement, you factored in Social Security benefits, you'll be glad to know that most U.S. citizens can continue to receive Social Security benefits while living in nearly any country. That's not true of every country, though. U.S. Social Security payments are generally prohibited in Cuba and North Korea, and restricted in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan unless you receive a special exception.

This Social Security screening tool makes it easy to ensure your benefits will be available to you after the big move. Work credits from another country may make you eligible Let's say you spent time working in another country. It's possible that you don't have enough Social Security credits to qualify for retirement or disability benefits. The good news is that it's possible to count your work credits from another country. Here's why: In the late 1970s, the U.S. established agreements with other countries that integrate the U.S. Social Security program with similar programs in those countries.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) keeps a list of the countries with a bilateral Social Security agreement with the U.S. You can apply for and manage benefits from outside the U.S. You can apply for Social Security benefits directly online. Once you begin receiving benefits, they can be electronically deposited into a financial institution in the U.S. or in the country where you've settled. However, benefits can only be deposited in a bank in your new country if that country has an international direct deposit agreement with the U.S. To find out, review the official list of countries and territories that allow direct deposit payments from the SSA. Most U.S. retirees consider Social Security a key factor in their post-retirement financial life. If your monthly benefits are important to you but you're dreaming of a life outside U.S. borders, it's important to know you can count on continuous, regular deposits.Read NextMar 22, 2026 •By Keith SpeightsA Federal Reserve Double Whammy Is 2 Months Away and Most Investors Aren't ReadyMar 22, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanThe Window to Change Your Medicare Advantage Plan Is Quickly Closing. Here's What You Need to Know.Mar 21, 2026 •By Adam SpataccoThe Social Security Fairness Act Paid Out $17 Billion in Retroactive Benefits. Here's Who Qualifies.Mar 21, 2026 •By Maurie Backman3 Less-Obvious Benefits of Retiring LateMar 21, 2026 •By Maurie BackmanThe Hidden Advantage of Roth IRAs Retirees Don't Appreciate Until It's Too LateMar 21, 2026 •By Johnny RiceThe Best Retirement States in the U.S. in 2026About the AuthorDana George is a contributing retirement and Social Security expert at The Motley Fool. Previously, Dana spent five years writing for Motley Fool Money and 20 years as a newspaper reporter. She is also the author of four published novels. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Spring Arbor University. .TMFByGeorge