Hi Larry, I am a UK citizen, living in France, but spent 20+ years living and working in the US (with a green card, as a permanent resident), with the usual monthly deductions (SS, retirement etc). I applied for my retirement benefits this past March, when I turned 62. All was well, my monthly payments started in April. Last month (September) I received an email from the US embassy rep in Paris saying there was a problem with my address. After an email and phone conversation he told me it was straightened out. I then received a letter from the SSA, confirming and recapping my monthly payments, all correct and fine. 2 days later I received another letter stating that my monthly benefits would be stopped as I was "not present in the US". My husband (same, UK citizen, worked in the US etc), has been receiving his monthly retirement with no issues since he turned 65, 4 years ago. Have there been any changes that would affect me, or is this likely just an error? Many thanks for any light you can shed on this.

Hi,

I don't see any reason for your benefits being stopped based on your description of your circumstances. Whether or not Social Security benefits can be paid to a person residing outside of the U.S. depends on the type of benefits they receive (e.g. retirement, spousal, survivor), their country of citizenship, and their country of residence. UK citizens living in France can be paid their U.S. Social Security benefits regardless of the type of benefit they receive, so it sounds like you should be able to draw your benefits indefinitely.

My only guess as to why your benefits were stopped is that Social Security needs to verify your country of citizenship or residence. I would suggest either working with your contact in the U.S. embassy or contacting Social Security directly (https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/index.html) to determine what you need to do to get your benefits reinstated.

Best, Jerry