LiveOffshore - Expatriate, International Living, Embassies

According to a report in the June 9, 2004 Wall Street Journal, in 2002, 242,128 American retirees had their Social Security benefits sent to foreign countries. And these don't represent all those retiring overseas because many retirees maintain a US address. If you are a retiree living overseas, these links will be helpful.

• Social Security Administration's Office of International Operations (OIO) >> The purpose of this web page is to assist Social Security customers who are outside the U.S. or planning to leave the U.S. The OIO is responsible for administering the Social Security program outside the U.S. and for the implementation of the benefit provisions of international agreements.
• International Agreements, Payments Outside the United States, and Social Security in Other Countries >> This link provides information about the United States program of international Social Security agreements, about receiving your U.S. Social Security benefits outside the United States and about Social Security programs in other countries.
• The Social Security Administration Has Contacts In Various Countries >> The US Social Security Administration reports that it has contact personnel in the following countries:
  

  Argentina Australia Austria Belgium British Virgin Islands Canada Chile Costa Rica Croatia Denmark Dominican Republic Finland

  France Germany Greece Hong Kong Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Korea Japan Mexico Netherlands

  New Zealand Norway Philippines Poland Portugal Samoa Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom Yemen

• Phone Numbers for the SSA's Office of International Operations >> You may also contact the OIO by phone if you speak English. You can call their office using the telephone numbers provided. You will need to pay for the call because the OIO does not have toll-free service for calls from outside the U.S. The OIO advises, "If you call, please do so during normal business hours for the Eastern U.S. We have provided a directory of phone numbers to reach us."
  
  
• Some Common Forms for Foreign Applicants and Beneficiaries >> Here is a listing of common forms that applicants and beneficiaries may need:
• Supplement to Claim of Person Outside the United States (SSA-21)
• Disability Report Form (SSA-3368)
• Application For A Social Security Card (Form SS-5-FS)
• Application for Special Benefits for World War II Veterans (SSA-2000)
• Other SSA Forms

Note: To read and print these forms, you special software, see the Social Security Administration's page on downloading and printing PDF documents.

• If You are Leaving the United States and Receive Social Security Here is a List of Your Responsibilities >> Click on this link to find a list of your responsibilities if you live overseas and receive social security.
  
  
• Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States >> The SSA's OIO has provided a helpful list of issues that you might face if you are a recipient of Social Security benefits.
• What's New in International Programs? >> This link includes the latest information coming from the Social Security Administration's OIO as to what new agreements have been signed.