American citizens who are eligible to collect retirement benefits and planning to live abroad in Greece or another country 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.

Countries in which the U.S. Treasury prohibits payment, however you can receive all withheld payments upon leaving these countries:

Cuba, North Korea

Countries in which the SSA prohibits payment, however you can receive all withheld payments upon leaving these countries:

Cambodia, Vietnam, Armenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia

Exceptions

SSA allows exceptions in some cases if you are willing to appear at an American Embassy to collect your payment in person each month, but you must apply and receive authorization in advance.

Dependent or survivors of workers collecting benefits

In order to receive the retirement benefits of a worker as a dependent or survivor, you must be a U.S. citizen OR if you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have lived in the USA for 5 years during which benefits were being paid.

The residency requirement will not apply to you if you meet any of the following conditions:

- You were initially eligible for monthly benefits before January 1, 1985; or

- You are entitled on the record of a worker who died while in the U.S. military service or as a result of a service-connected disease or injury; or

- You are a citizen of: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom; or

- You are a resident of the countries with which the U.S. has a Social Security agreement: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), Luxembourg

Further Information

- If you are in Greece, the U.S. Embassy in Athens has a *Federal Benefits Unit*:

(210) 720-2426 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m, most business can be conducted by phone

- There is no Federal Benefits unit at the American Consulate in Thessaloniki

- If you are in another country authorized by the SSA to facilitate payments, the U.S. Embassy of that country will have a U.S. Citizen Services unit to support you while abroad.

- Or visit the *Social Security Administration’s International FAQ *, which applies to all Americans abroad, not just those in Greece

Important note

I am not affiliated with the U.S. Social Security Administration and have provided this condensed overview in response to several inquiries and as a convenience for Americans considering retirement abroad in Greece or another country.

Related post

“How to get a visa and residence permit for retirement in Greece based on independent means.”

Article updated June 11, 2008