Taxes are complex for expats, who may find it difficult to keep up to date with changes to tax law. For example, they may want to know, “Can expats collect Social Security?” Determining how your Social Security taxes and benefits are impacted takes research and expertise that many expats prefer to leave to a CPA. Below, we’ll explore the relationship between taxes and Social Security benefits for expats, then discuss how a CPA can help.
Expat Eligibility for Social Security Benefits
Can you collect Social Security and live in another country? U.S. expats and green card holders are eligible for collecting Social Security while living abroad, provided they meet the following criteria:
- They must have worked for 10 years or have earned 40 credits of work at a maximum of four credits per year.
- They must have made at least $1,730 in income to receive one credit of work in 2024.
In addition to these considerations, expats should do their research into their host country’s arrangements with the United States as well as any other additional filing requirements that may apply, including:
- Residency or green card status
- Citizenship
- Whether the host country has a totalization agreement
Do expats get Social Security? In general, if you have earned any Social Security benefits, you can visit or live in most foreign countries and still receive payments.
Can I Retire in Another Country and Collect Social Security?
Only work conducted in the U.S. counts toward Social Security eligibility. This means an expat who worked internationally for a full career may not meet the 10-year threshold to receive benefits. Totalization Agreements, currently in effect in 30 countries, allow expats who worked in a country that has such an agreement to count their foreign employment toward the 10-year work period necessary to obtain Social Security benefits.
Below are countries with social security agreements with the United States:
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovak Republic
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
Expats cannot receive Social Security benefits if they live in a country that is sanctioned by the U.S., such as North Korea, even if they would otherwise qualify for benefits. Additionally, there are no social security benefits for non-citizens living abroad in certain former Soviet Socialist republics — including Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Armenia and Ukraine.
Can a Green Card Holder Get Social Security?
If you’re a green card holder who works in the U.S., a portion of every paycheck goes to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), meaning you qualify for certain Social Security benefits for non-U.S. citizens living abroad. However, the rules regarding Social Security benefits for green card holders over 65 change somewhat if you decide to live or work outside the U.S. (defined as outside the 50 U.S. states, Washington DC and U.S. territories).
For example:
- Green card holders may need to return Stateside every 60 days to maintain their residency status. Otherwise, they risk having to go through the green card application all over again. Another way to preserve social security benefits for non-citizens living abroad is to request a reentry permit or returning resident visa prior to your departure.
- There are also a handful of restricted countries for which green card exceptions don’t apply. The Social Security Administration, for example, won’t send benefits to green card holders living in Cambodia, Vietnam, North Korea, Cuba and a handful of former Soviet Union countries.
How Does Social Security for Non-U.S. Citizens Work (if Married)?
Can a non-U.S. citizen collect Social Security? Expats who have married foreign-born partners may wonder whether their foreign spouse can receive Social Security. In most cases, Social Security survivor benefits are available to foreign spouses. Social Security for non-U.S. citizens may be available if the couple lived in the U.S. for a five-year period or if the spouse is a native of a country that has a Totalization Agreement with the U.S.
Expats who revoke their citizenship or who obtain dual citizenship with another nation can still receive Social Security, provided they are eligible.
Taxation for Expat Social Security
In most cases, tax on Social Security for expats is capped at 85%. There are exceptions for residents of 11 lucky countries (which include Canada, Italy and Ireland), who do not need to pay tax on Social Security.
Some expats worry about the potential for double taxation to occur. Expats who pay taxes on Social Security income in the U.S. and their home country can take a foreign tax credit against taxes paid domestically, which alleviates the odds of double taxation.
Expats who are working overseas for American companies or the U.S. government, as well as self-employed expats, have to pay their fair share of Social Security and Medicare taxes. It’s in your best interest to make sure taxes are withheld; otherwise, you may owe money when it’s time to file. Expats who work for an international employer or have a short-term contract do not need to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes.
While this advice can help expats understand their tax liability, many expats prefer to consult with a CPA who has experience assisting expats, as everyone’s circumstances are unique. Fortunately, Expat CPA provides tax consulting when it comes to Social Security for expats. Our team offers expert advice to help you get everything in order for the upcoming tax season.
File Correctly With Expat CPA
By understanding the laws and exceptions, expats can make sure they pay what they owe while reducing their liability using exemptions intended for Americans living overseas.
Americans living overseas need to file their taxes every year, just as citizens and residents living domestically must do. Many expats find it challenging to keep up with state and federal tax filings when living abroad. These tax filing rules can be especially difficult to navigate for Americans with dual citizenship.
That said, it’s all the more important to do so because expats can be penalized if they don’t file everything they should. Rather than file their taxes and get penalized if something isn’t done right, many expats choose to work with a CPA firm that understands the complexities of the situation.
The right CPA can review your situation, discuss options and advise you on your tax circumstances. If you haven’t filed taxes correctly in previous years, we at Expat CPA can make any adjustments necessary to correct the tax circumstances. This can help you avoid penalties that could be assessed if the IRS determines that you have neglected your tax obligations.
To explore our expat tax consulting services or discuss expats and Social Security benefits, contact us today.