If you`re planning on living or working abroad, you might find yourself wondering what will happen to your social security benefits. Fortunately, many countries have entered into social security agreements with the United States to ensure that your benefits continue, even if you`re living overseas.
So, what exactly is a social security agreement? Simply put, it`s an agreement between two countries that outlines how social security benefits will be treated for people who move between those two countries. These agreements can cover many different types of benefits, including retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.
For example, if you`re a U.S. citizen who has worked in both the United States and Canada, a social security agreement between the two countries would ensure that you don`t lose any of the benefits you`ve earned. Instead, your benefits from both countries would be combined to give you the maximum possible benefit.
Social security agreements can be incredibly helpful for people who travel frequently for work, work remotely, or plan on retiring abroad. Without such agreements, you might find that you`re ineligible for certain benefits or that your benefits will be reduced because you`re living overseas.
To find out more about social security agreements and how they might affect you, the best place to start is the Social Security Administration`s website. You can also contact the embassy or consulate of any country where you plan on living or working to find out about any existing agreements.
It`s also worth noting that social security agreements can be complex and vary from country to country, so it`s a good idea to seek advice from a professional who specializes in international social security law. With the right help, you can ensure that you receive the benefits you`re entitled to, no matter where in the world you choose to live.
