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September 11, 2015 at 07:32 AM
More than $3 billion in Social Security checks was paid to retirees overseas in 2013, the latest year for which data is available, according to InternationalLiving.com.
Citing the latest figures from the U.S. Social Security Administration, the provider of information and services on global retirement and relocation opportunities reveals that U.S. retirees received $160 million more in Social Security benefits in 2013 than in 2012.
American retirees can receive Social Security benefit checks in almost every country worldwide. Statistics reveal that Europe is home to the most U.S. retirees drawing their benefits abroad (154,238), followed by Canada and Mexico (95,767), and Asia (70,586).
The number of retirees receiving Social Security benefits overseas increased to 373,224 from 248,012 between 2003 and 2013. Increases are significant in countries like the Philippines, Thailand, Panama and Ecuador — all countries on InternationalLiving.com’s retirement-haven beat. Living overseas in countries where the cost of living is lower than in the U.S. (like it is in these countries) allows retirees to stretch the value of their Social Security benefits and improve their quality of life.
Generally, benefits will not be taxed by the U.S. if they are a retiree’s sole source of income. The process of drawing Social Security benefits from abroad is straightforward.
