Collecting social security after retirement if you leave the country

[concerned1977]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? VA

I'm trying to help my in-laws get some information for when they retire. They will both be retiring in about 5 years. They came to the united states about 30 years ago. they never applied for citizenship, but they have been permant residents. although it won't be much, when they retire they will still be entitled to small social security payments. their plan is to move back to el salvador once they retire, but none of us is quite sure how this will work in terms of them being able to still collect their social security payments. My main question is will they still be entitled to collect social security if they are no longer living in this country. If so, would they have to pay some kind of a penalty or tax on it?

thanks.

 

[FlyingRon]

US citizens are eligible for social security retirement and disability payments even if they reside abroad. The government will send the checks overseas as long as you're not in one of the embargoed countries like Cuba. SSI is reserved for those present in the US.

Non-citizens are a different story. First off, dependent benefits will stop.
Fortunately, if they are Savaldoran citizens, that's one of the country the SS department recognizes and will continue the benefit even if they abandon their US residency. They will have be considered to abandoned their residency if they don't spend at least half their time here. Practically it means they must get visas like everybody else at that point if they want to come to US (and can't work unless approved, etc...).

If they're not subject to US taxation anymore, then the feds won't tax their SS.
I have no idea what the Salvadorans will do.

Information here:
http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10137.htm

 

[concerned1977]

abandonment of their U.S. residency

the plan was also to rent out their townhouse so that they will have some extra income coming in to help support them since the SSI won't be very much. would they still be considered as "abandoning their u.s. residency"? what if they obtained their U.S. Citizenship before they retire - would they be better off?

could you point me in the right direction as far as who we should be talking to about this? is there a specific type of lawyer or government agency that would be able to help us?

thanks.