Collecting Social Security In Belarus: Is It Possible?

If you are a US citizen, you can continue to receive social security payments while in Belarus, provided that you are eligible for benefits. This applies regardless of whether you receive benefits based on your own work or as a dependent or survivor of someone who worked in the US. However, there are certain conditions and restrictions that you should be aware of. For instance, you must agree to appear in person at a US embassy or consulate every six months. It is important to carefully review the information provided by the Social Security Administration, including the Restrictions on Payments to SSA Beneficiaries in Belarus section, to understand your specific situation and eligibility.

US citizens can receive social security payments in Belarus

US citizens can receive Social Security Administration (SSA) payments in Belarus, but there are certain conditions that must be met. Firstly, it is important to understand that an individual's right to receive SSA payments in Belarus depends on several factors. These include citizenship status and the specific country of residence.

For US citizens, the good news is that they can continue to receive their SSA payments while in Belarus, provided they are eligible for benefits. This applies regardless of whether the benefits are based on their own work or as a dependent or survivor of someone who worked in the US. However, it is important to note that there are additional restrictions on payments to beneficiaries in certain countries, including Belarus, that affect all SSA beneficiaries, regardless of citizenship.

One of the strict conditions mentioned by the AARP for US citizens receiving Social Security payments in Belarus is agreeing to appear in person at a US embassy or consulate every six months. This requirement is part of the reporting process, as SSA beneficiaries are legally obligated to report their change of address within 30 days of arriving in a restricted payment country like Belarus.

To ensure continued eligibility, it is recommended that US citizens living abroad periodically confirm their eligibility by responding to questionnaires sent by Social Security. These questionnaires are typically sent every one or two years, depending on factors such as age and country of residence. Failing to return the questionnaire will result in a halt to SSA payments.

Additionally, it is worth noting that Social Security payments will always be calculated in US dollars, regardless of the recipient's country of residence.

Non-US citizens may also be eligible for social security in Belarus

Social security in Belarus is a priority, with the country's social policy aiming to ensure effective employment for its population. The right to work is enshrined in the Constitution of Belarus, which also guarantees occupational safety and the right to a safe workplace. The country's social security system is designed to support the elderly and disabled, with territorial social security centres providing access to social care in every administrative district.

Non-US citizens may be eligible for social security in Belarus, but it depends on several factors. Firstly, there is an Alien Nonpayment Provision that affects eligibility for payments outside of the US. Secondly, there are additional restrictions on payments to beneficiaries in certain countries, including Belarus, that apply to all SSA beneficiaries, regardless of citizenship. These restrictions are due to difficulties in distributing payments and accessing beneficiary and vital statistics records in restricted payment countries.

If you are a non-US citizen residing in Belarus, you must meet certain conditions to receive Social Security benefits. Your benefits will continue if you were eligible for monthly Social Security benefits for December 1956, or if the worker on whose record your benefits are based died while in the US military service or due to a service-connected disability, provided they were not dishonourably discharged.

You may also be eligible for continued Social Security payments if:

• The worker on whose record your benefits are based had railroad work treated as covered employment by the Social Security program.
• You are in the active military or naval service of the United States.
• You are a citizen of one of the countries listed here: [list of countries].
• The worker whose record your benefits are based on lived in the US for at least 10 years or earned at least 40 credits under the US Social Security system.

If you do not meet any of these conditions, your payments will stop after you have been outside the United States for six full calendar months. To restart your payments, you must return to the United States, stay for a full calendar month, and submit evidence of your stay. You must be in the country on the first minute of the first day of the month and stay through the last minute of the last day. Additionally, you may be asked to prove that you were lawfully present in the US for the full calendar month.

Belarusian citizens can receive social security benefits in Belarus if certain conditions are met

Social security benefits are available to Belarusian citizens residing in Belarus, but certain conditions must be met. These conditions vary depending on the type of social security benefit being claimed.

For US citizens, it is possible to continue receiving social security payments while in Belarus, as long as you are eligible for benefits. This applies regardless of whether you are receiving benefits based on your own work or as a dependent or survivor of someone who worked in the US.

For Belarusian citizens, the conditions for receiving social security benefits are as follows:

• If you were eligible for monthly social security benefits for December 1956, you can continue to receive payments.
• If the worker on whose record your benefits are based died while in the US military service or as a result of a service-connected disability (provided they were not dishonorably discharged), you can also continue to receive payments.
• If the worker on whose record your benefits are based had railroad work that the Social Security program treated as covered employment, you may be eligible for continued Social Security payments.
• If you are in the active military or naval service of the United States, you may be eligible for social security benefits.

In addition to these conditions, there are other factors that may impact a Belarusian citizen's ability to receive social security benefits in Belarus. These include:

• The type of social security benefit being claimed (e.g. old age, disability, survivors, etc.)
• The employment status and occupation of the claimant
• The age and gender of the claimant
• The extent of social security coverage and the number of years of paid contributions
• Whether the claimant has dependent children or other dependents

Belarus also has a system of state-targeted social assistance, which provides financial assistance to low-income citizens, families with underage children, and people with disabilities. This system includes various benefits such as monthly allowances, one-time payments for families experiencing hardships, and social benefits to cover expenses for personal hygiene products for people with disabilities.

Social security payments are calculated in US dollars

Social Security payments are calculated based on the 35 highest-earning years of your career, adjusted for inflation. If you work for more than 35 years, the lowest-earning years are dropped from the calculation, resulting in a higher payment. For those who haven't worked for 35 years, zeros are averaged into the Social Security calculation, resulting in smaller payments.

For a worker who becomes eligible for Social Security payments in 2024, the benefit amount is calculated by multiplying the first $1,174 of average indexed monthly earnings by 90%, the remaining earnings up to $7,078 by 32%, and earnings over $7,078 by 15%. This sum, rounded down to the nearest 10 cents, is the initial payment amount. Cost-of-living adjustments and delayed retirement credits can further increase this amount.

Social Security payments are typically made in US dollars. However, if you are receiving Social Security payments while living in another country, such as Belarus, the payments may be subject to additional restrictions and requirements. For example, according to the US Embassy & Consulate in Poland, there are restrictions on payments to beneficiaries residing in certain countries, including Belarus, due to difficulties in distributing checks and accessing vital statistics records. To continue receiving Social Security benefits in Belarus, you may need to apply for an exception and meet certain conditions, such as periodically verifying your identity.

It's important to note that the right to receive Social Security payments while in Belarus depends on various factors, including citizenship and the reason for receiving benefits. US citizens may generally continue to receive payments while in Belarus as long as they remain eligible. On the other hand, Belarusian citizens residing in Belarus must meet specific conditions, such as having been eligible for monthly Social Security benefits in December 1956 or being in active military or naval service in the United States.

Social security payments are distributed electronically

Social Security Administration (SSA) payments are distributed electronically, and federal law mandates that all federal benefit payments be made in this way. This includes Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits. This is because it is safer, quicker, and more convenient than receiving a paper check.

There are two ways to receive your benefits electronically: into an existing bank account via Direct Deposit, or onto a Direct Express® Debit Mastercard®. With Direct Deposit, you can sign up online, by phone, in person at your bank, or by calling Social Security. Your benefit will then go straight into your account every month.

If you are already receiving Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefits by check, you must switch to one of the electronic payment options. If you are applying for these benefits, you must elect to receive your payments electronically when you enroll.

In rare circumstances, the Treasury may grant exceptions to the electronic payment mandate.

Frequently asked questions