James P. Says: If I decide to move permanently to Costa Rica can I draw my Social Security retirement pay for as long as I live there? Social Security Expert Steve Garfink Says: Hi James, Thanks for your question! Except for a small handful of exceptions (Cuba, North Korea, etc.) you can collect your Social Read more...: Can I Draw my Social Security While Living in Costa Rica?
Angela A. Says: My husband and I have plans to move to Portugal when he retires. He will be turning 71 and I will be turning 64 this year. How does he receive his Social Security once he retires? Social Security Expert Steve Garfink Says: Hi Angela, First and foremost, you indicated your husband is Read more...: Moving to Portugal—How Do We Receive our Social Security?
Al M. Says: If I move overseas to a country that uses a different currency but my Social Security is paid in dollars, what’s the best way to convert it? Social Security Expert Steve Garfink Says: Hi Al, The good news is that in this day and age converting your money is more efficient and Read more...: How do I Convert my Social Security into Local Currency Overseas?
Craig S. Says: How do most expats handle converting their Social Security or pension income to euro, to deposit into their European (in our case Spanish) account? Social Security Expert Steve Garfink Says: Hi Craig, The good news is that in this day and age converting your money is more efficient and less costly than Read more...: How do Expats Convert Their Social Security to Euros?
James R. Says: I’m receiving a retirement check from Social Security and my railroad retirement. Both are combined into one check once a month. If I moved from the U.S. to Costa Rica, would I lose my retirement check? IL Social Security Expert Steve Garfink Says: Hi James, For anyone eligible to receive Social Read more...: Can I Get My Social Security in Costa Rica?
The answer to this in almost all cases is, “No, you keep your right to your Social Security benefits.” In fact, there are a substantial number of beneficiaries who are not and never were U.S. citizens.
If you start collecting Social Security after your Full Retirement Age (FRA: an age between ages 66 and 67, depending on your birth year), then your benefit payments will not be affected no matter how much you earn.
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Buried deep in the 2019 year-end omnibus federal budget legislation is an obscure new rule that can saddle your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews with a surprising and excessive tax liability. The SECURE Act This bill was long promoted by the financial industry and enjoyed strong bipartisan support in Congress. The most important improvement for Read more...: How to Defuse the Deferred-Tax-Account Time Bomb
In International Living magazine we often write about how a Social Security check can provide you with a comfortable, even luxurious, lifestyle in a variety of appealing locations around the world. However, when the time comes to relocate and start your life’s next chapter, it is useful to understand how, exactly, you receive that check, Read more...: Maximize Your Social Security While Living Overseas