American citizens who are eligible to collect retirement benefits and planning to live abroad as temporary or permanent expats can collect retirement benefits in accordance with Social Security Administration (SSA) laws.

* If you are an American citizen, you can collect benefits while overseas as long as you qualify (go to the SSA’s *Qualify and Apply* section).

* Whether you are permanently or temporarily abroad, it is recommended that you arrange direct deposit of benefits to a reliable overseas or U.S. financial institution and utilize any services offered online (change of address, forms, etc.).

* Questionnaires sent periodically to determine continued eligibility must be answered truthfully and returned immediately or payments will stop. Giving false information or failure to report any changes in your status will incur penalties and/or result in imprisonment under U.S. law.

* Foreign offices handling SS claims, questions and other inquiries are usually American Consulates (click *here* to find one).

Non-citizens who worked in the USA

If you are a non-citizen who worked in the USA, you may also qualify to collect benefits if you meet the same eligibility requirements for U.S. citizens. However, there may be additional requirements as determined on a case-by-case basis.

Countries in which payment of retirement benefits is allowed as long as eligibility is met:

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Essentially, the SSA allows payments in countries where there is a significant number of American expats. If your country is not listed above, or below on the prohibited list, you must contact the SSA directly to determine other options available to you.

If you are in need of information on this subject, please contact our office Costa Rica Retirement Vacation Properties . toll free 1 888581 1786 or locally 2293 2446