The United States Social Security Administration (SSA) has published a list of approximately 53 countries whose nationals can continue receiving Social Security payments after relocating outside the United States. This list, known as Country List 2, spans various regions including Africa, Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. The SSA updates this list to help beneficiaries understand their eligibility for continued payments while living abroad.
Two African countries, Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire, are included in the SSA's Country List 2. Nationals from these countries who qualify for US Social Security benefits can generally continue receiving those payments even when residing in their home country or elsewhere abroad. This inclusion provides assurance to beneficiaries from these nations that they can maintain their benefits despite their location.
The full list of countries whose citizens can receive benefits after leaving America includes Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Gabon, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Jamaica, Jordan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, the Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Montenegro, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Palau, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, and Venezuela.
While holding a passport from a listed country does not guarantee continued payments in every case, the SSA stipulates that nationals receiving benefits as a dependent or survivor of a primary beneficiary must satisfy further requirements. Individual circumstances vary, and the documentation required may differ depending on the basis on which a benefit was originally granted. The SSA recommends that anyone planning to live abroad or already doing so contact the agency directly to confirm their eligibility.
The SSA has also detailed Social Security benefits available to people who have worked in both the US and one of 31 countries covered by bilateral Social Security agreements. These agreements are designed to coordinate the Social Security systems of the participating countries and help workers avoid paying Social Security taxes on the same earnings in both countries. This coordination ensures that workers do not face double taxation and can maximize their benefits.
Country List 2 is publicly available on the SSA's official international payments page, where recipients can verify their country's status and review the conditions applicable to their specific situation. Beneficiaries are encouraged to check the SSA's website for the most current information and to contact the agency directly with any questions or concerns about their benefits.
The SSA's efforts to provide clear information about benefits and eligibility aim to support beneficiaries living abroad. By maintaining an updated list of countries and conditions for continued payments, the SSA helps ensure that eligible individuals can access their benefits regardless of their location. This transparency is crucial for beneficiaries who rely on these payments for their financial well-being.
Key points
- The US Social Security Administration has listed 53 countries whose citizens can receive benefits after leaving America.
- Two African countries, Burkina Faso and Côte d'Ivoire, are included in the list.
- Beneficiaries must meet specific conditions to continue receiving payments, especially if they are dependents or survivors.
