Jan 31, 2010
Can You Live In A Foreign Country And Still Receive Your Social Security Benefits From The U.s?
Are there some countries that are easier to do this with, than others? Could your Social Security checks be deposited into a foreign bank or would they need to be deposited in a U.S. bank? Is it alright if your home address is a foreign address?
In addition, are any medicare benefits transferable while you are living in another country?
You are not covered by Medicare when outside the USA. Per RS 02650.001 Treasury Department Restrictions
A. POLICY
1. Check Delivery
United States Treasury Foreign Assets Control Regulations and Cuban Assets Control Regulations (Treasury Circular 655) prohibit the delivery of all U.S. Government checks, including Social Security benefit checks, to (or on behalf of) beneficiaries in the countries on its restricted list.
The Treasury also refuses the use of power of attorney by anyone in the restricted countries.
Benefits are payable to US citizens in all countries except Cuba and North Korea. International direct deposit is permitted.
You can live wherever you want but social security checks will only be deposited in a US account.
Medicare will not cover medical care in any country other than the US and will not pay for medivac flights or any assistance to get you to a US doctor.
So basically you want to take taxpayer money and benefits and NOT reinvest that money back into the country that is supporting you?
Medical care doesn’t transfer.
If you are not a US citizen, 22.5% is automatically withheld for taxes.
Yes