Can I collect Social Security if I live outside the US?

Yes, in most countries. SSA pays retirement, survivors, and disability benefits to US citizens living in nearly every country except Cuba and North Korea. Restrictions also apply for non-citizens in a handful of countries (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam). Use the SSA Payments Abroad Screening Tool at ssa.gov/international/payments to check your specific situation. You must report any move abroad within 60 days and complete the annual SSA-7162 questionnaire to keep payments flowing. Failure to return that form will suspend your benefits.

Does SSA offer a callback so I don't sit on hold?

Yes, when call volume is high. When you connect to +1 (410) 965-0160 and the wait exceeds an estimated threshold, the automated system offers to hold your place in queue and call you back. This works to a US callback number; many overseas callers report mixed results when providing a foreign number. The workaround: give a US Google Voice number or a US-based VoIP number that forwards to your foreign line. The callback feature is not always offered (lower call volume = no callback option), so morning Eastern is still the better strategy.

Can I change my direct deposit to a foreign bank by phone?

Yes, this is one of the things you must call for. The mySocialSecurity online portal lets you change direct deposit to a US bank account, but routing payments to a foreign bank requires either calling +1 (410) 965-0160 or visiting a Federal Benefits Unit. You'll need your bank's SWIFT/BIC code, IBAN (if applicable), account number, and the bank's full address. SSA participates in International Direct Deposit (IDD) in about 70 countries; if your country isn't on the IDD list, payments go by check or to a US account. The change typically takes 30-60 days to take effect.

What's the SSA-7162 form and what happens if I miss it?

The SSA-7162 is the annual "Report to United States Social Security Administration" questionnaire mailed to beneficiaries living abroad. You must complete and return it to confirm you're still eligible (alive, marital status unchanged, address current). SSA mails it once a year; some beneficiaries receive it every two years. Failure to return the form within 60 days triggers automatic benefit suspension. If your benefits stopped and you suspect the form is why, call +1 (410) 965-0160 to request a replacement and verify your status. The form is also downloadable as a PDF from ssa.gov.

Is there a Federal Benefits Unit in my country?

There are 21 worldwide, mostly at US embassies in countries with large retiree populations: Manila, London, Frankfurt, Mexico City (plus Guadalajara and Ciudad Juarez), Rome, Naples, Paris, Madrid, Athens, Lisbon, Dublin, Warsaw, and a handful more. The full list lives at ssa.gov/foreign/foreign.htm. If your country has no FBU, the American Citizens Services section at the nearest US Embassy can help with document submission and forward documents to the regional FBU. For countries with FBUs, walking in often resolves issues faster than the phone queue, especially for identity verification or document signing.

How to Call Social Security from Abroad: 2026 Guide

The Social Security Administration's international phone number is +1 (410) 965-0160. Call Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM Eastern time. Don't bother with the 1-800-772-1213 toll-free line—it doesn't work from outside the US.

If you're an expat or retiree living overseas and need to reach SSA about your benefits, address changes, or direct deposit issues, you've got options. Here's everything you need to know to call Social Security from abroad without paying a fortune.

How to Call Social Security from Outside the US

Use the international line: +1 (410) 965-0160
Call Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 4 PM Eastern US time
Avoid the toll-free 1-800-772-1213 (blocked internationally)
Use a browser-based service like World Dialer ($0.04/min) to save on costs
For in-person help, contact your nearest Federal Benefits Unit

The SSA International Phone Number

The SSA's Office of Earnings & International Operations answers international calls at +1 (410) 965-0160. That's the main number for overseas callers—and yes, you'll pay international calling rates to reach it.

There are also specialized lines depending on what you need:

Purpose | Number | Hours (Eastern)

General International Inquiries | +1 (410) 965-0160 | 9 AM - 4 PM Mon-Fri

Certificate of Coverage | +1 (410) 965-7306 | 8 AM - 3 PM Mon-Fri

International Claims | +1 (410) 965-2356 | Business hours

All three numbers are in Maryland. All three will cost you money to call from overseas. That's just how international calling works—the SSA doesn't offer a toll-free option for people outside the US.

Why the 1-800 Number Doesn't Work Abroad

US toll-free numbers like 1-800-772-1213 are typically blocked when dialed from overseas. Your carrier either won't connect the call at all, or they'll route it through as a premium international call—which defeats the purpose of "toll-free."

Here's why: toll-free numbers work because the company (in this case, SSA) pays for incoming calls. International carriers don't have agreements for that, so they block them.

If you used to call SSA using Skype's free toll-free feature, that ended in May 2024 when Microsoft discontinued it. The +1 (410) line is now your primary option.

When to Call (Save Time and Money)

Call early morning or after 4 PM Eastern to avoid peak wait times. Every minute you're on hold is money you're spending on international calling—so timing matters.

Best times:

Before 10 AM Eastern
After 4 PM Eastern
Tuesday and Wednesday (lighter call volume)
After the 15th of the month

Worst times:

10 AM - 4 PM Eastern (peak hours)
Mondays and Fridays
First week of any month (when benefit checks arrive)

Wait times typically run 20-50 minutes. SSA does offer a callback option, so you don't have to stay on hold—ask for it when you connect.

Here's what 9 AM - 4 PM Eastern looks like in your time zone:

Your Location | SSA Hours in Your Time

UK/Ireland | 2 PM - 9 PM (winter)

Western Europe | 3 PM - 10 PM (winter)

Philippines | 10 PM - 5 AM

Australia (Sydney) | 12 AM - 7 AM

Mexico City | 8 AM - 3 PM

Yes, if you're in Manila or Sydney, you're making this call in the middle of the night. Plan accordingly.

Skip the Phone: mySocialSecurity Online

Many tasks don't require a phone call—use mySocialSecurity online from anywhere in the world.

You can create an account from overseas using ID.me for identity verification. When you get to the verification screen, click "I don't live in the United States" at the bottom of the page. That's it.

What you can do online:

Check your earnings record
Get benefit estimates
View payment history
Download benefit verification letters
Change your US bank account for direct deposit

What still requires a call:

Changing direct deposit to a foreign bank
Complex claims issues
Identity verification problems
Reporting a death or marriage

If your issue is routine—checking a payment date, getting a benefit letter—try the website first. You might save yourself a $15 phone call.

Federal Benefits Units: In-Person Help Abroad

There are 21 Federal Benefits Units at US embassies worldwide for in-person SSA help. These are full-service SSA offices staffed by trained personnel.

Major locations include:

Manila, Philippines
London, UK
Frankfurt, Germany
Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico
Rome and Naples, Italy
Paris, France
Madrid, Spain

If there's no FBU in your country, contact the American Citizens Services section at your nearest US Embassy or Consulate. They can help with document submission and schedule appointments.

FBUs are best for complex situations: submitting documents, verifying identity in person, or handling issues that phone calls haven't resolved.

How to Call SSA Cheaply from Overseas

International calls to US numbers typically cost $1-3 per minute through your mobile carrier. A 30-minute SSA call could run you $30-90. For a question about your benefit payment. That's absurd.

Your options:

Method | Cost per Minute | 30-Min Call | Notes

Mobile carrier | $1-3 | $30-90 | Expensive, simple

VoIP subscription | ~$10-30/month | $10-30+ | Overkill for one call

Wi-Fi calling | Free (maybe) | Free | Only if your carrier supports it abroad

World Dialer | $0.04 | $1.20 | No subscription required, browser-based

VoIP subscriptions make sense if you're running a business. For calling SSA once a quarter to check on your benefits? You don't need a monthly plan.

Browser-based calling services like World Dialer let you call any US number for $0.04/minute. No app to download, no subscription required. A 30-minute hold session with SSA costs about a dollar twenty.

What to Have Ready When You Call

Have your Social Security number, current address abroad, and banking information ready before you dial.

Checklist:

Your Social Security Number
SSN for any dependents involved
Current mailing address (including country)
Banking details if discussing direct deposit
Documentation for any life changes (marriage, move, etc.)
Pen and paper for reference numbers

SSA calls can take a while. Having everything ready means you won't have to call back because you forgot something.

Making the Call

Here's the short version:

International line: +1 (410) 965-0160
Hours: 9 AM - 4 PM Eastern, Monday-Friday
Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday
Best times: Before 10 AM or after 4 PM Eastern
Wait time: Plan for 20-50 minutes

Check mySocialSecurity first—you might not need to call at all. If you do need to call, browser-based calling keeps the cost under a dollar instead of under a fortune.

We'll be here when you need us.

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