So you worked your 40 quarters.... but its time to go home-what happens to all that Social Security you paid?

The only 2 countries they WONT send SS to is North Korea and Cuba.

This is whether you are a citizen or not.


There are certain countries where you have to "Proof of life" yourself after 6 months (at an embassy etc Ukraine Uzbeckistan etc etc).


But if you have "earned your own" Social Security (eg 40 quarters) and are a citizen of these countries
https://www.ssa.gov/international/countrylist1.htm
or
https://www.ssa.gov/international/countrylist2.htm


Then you will keep getting paid after 6 months even if you have given up citizenship and are no longer a citizen/resident of the USA.


All the information is here https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10137.pdf


Or use this tool https://www.ssa.gov/international/payments_outsideUS.html


There is a good article on tax withholdings etc here at https://www.investopedia.com/advisor-network/articles/social-security-benefits-nonus-citizens/ (short answer is they withhold 30% and then you have to file taxes to get some of it back).


Its pretty simple really.