Receiving Social Security Checks Abroad: Bolivia Edition

If you are a US citizen, you can receive your Social Security benefits while living in most foreign countries, including Bolivia. The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays Social Security benefits electronically through direct deposit, which can be set up through a financial institution in the US or any country with an international direct deposit agreement with the US. To ensure that you can receive your payments in Bolivia, you can use the SSA Payments Abroad Screening Tool to check your eligibility. Additionally, the SSA will send you a questionnaire every 1 to 2 years to determine your continued eligibility for benefits while living abroad.

Check if Bolivia allows for Social Security payments to be received there

Bolivia has a social security program in place for its citizens. The program is universal and mandatory for employed persons, including military personnel and apprentices. Self-employed persons can opt for voluntary coverage.

The program covers old age, disability, and survivor benefits. The old-age pension is payable from the age of 60, with the retirement age for women reduced by one year for each live birth, up to three births. The retirement age for miners is reduced by one year for every two years of work in unhealthy conditions, up to a five-year reduction.

The disability pension is available for those with an assessed degree of disability of at least 60%. The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are the legal monthly minimum wage, which is currently 2,122 Bolivianos.

The survivor pension is available for eligible survivors, including a widow(er) or cohabiting partner, and orphans under the age of 18 (or 25 if a student, with no age limit for those with disabilities).

The social security program in Bolivia is supervised by the Ministry of the Economy and Public Finances, with the Ministry of Health administering the disability solidarity grant.

Set up direct deposit through a financial institution

To set up direct deposit through a financial institution, you will need to gather some personal information. This includes your Social Security number, the name of your bank or financial institution, and your account number and type (checking or savings). You will also need the routing transit number for your financial institution.

There are three ways to enroll in Direct Deposit: by phone, online, and by mail.

To enroll by phone, call 1-877-874-6347. This is the phone number for Social Security Direct Deposit.

To enroll online, log in to your Social Security Account. Select the "Benefits & Payment Details" link on the right side of the screen, then scroll down and select the "Update Direct Deposit" button. Choose whether you are the owner or co-owner of the bank account, enter your bank account information, and submit.

If you prefer to enroll by mail, you can use FS Form 1200. This form is required for beneficiaries who are unable to initiate the direct deposit request online. If you are a resident of the United States, you can download, print, and complete the form, then mail it to the Go Direct Processing Center at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. If you live outside the U.S., you may still be able to receive your payment by direct deposit. Download the appropriate 1199 form for your country of residence and mail the completed form to the address indicated.

Apply for Social Security benefits online

Applying for Social Security benefits online is simple and can be done via the Social Security Administration website. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to apply:

• Visit the Social Security Administration website: Go to the official website of the Social Security Administration (SSA) at https://www.ssa.gov.
• Create an online account: If you don't already have one, you'll need to create an account on the SSA website. This will give you secure access to your Social Security information and services.
• Gather the required information: Before starting your application, make sure you have all the necessary information and documents. This may include your Social Security number, birth certificate, proof of citizenship or residency, and income and asset information.
• Complete the online application form: Provide all the requested information accurately and completely. Take your time and carefully review each section before submitting. You can save your progress and come back to it later if needed.
• Submit your application: Once you've completed the application, review it one more time to ensure all the information is correct. Then, submit your application online.
• Follow up as needed: After submitting your application, you may receive notifications or requests for additional information. Check your online account regularly and respond to any inquiries promptly.

By following these steps, you can conveniently apply for Social Security benefits online without having to visit a local Social Security office. The process is secure and user-friendly, allowing you to access and manage your Social Security information from the comfort of your home.

It's important to note that the specific benefits and requirements may vary depending on your location and individual circumstances. Always refer to the official SSA website or seek guidance from a Social Security representative if you have any questions or concerns during the application process.

Contact the Social Security Administration's Office of Earnings International Operations

If you are a US citizen living in Bolivia, you can contact the Social Security Administration's Office of Earnings and International Operations (OEIO) for assistance with your Social Security account. The OEIO manages the Social Security program outside the US and implements the benefit provisions of international agreements.

There are no Social Security offices outside the US, so the OEIO receives assistance from the Department of State's embassies and consulates around the world. If you live in Bolivia, you can contact the US Embassy in Argentina, which serves Bolivia, by fax at 5411-5777-4231 or by email at [email protected].

You can also contact the OEIO by mail, phone, or electronically. Here is the contact information:

By Mail:

Social Security Administration

Office of Earnings & International Operations

P.O. Box 17775

Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7775

By Phone:

• Phone number: 410-965-0160
• Call between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Eastern US Time.
• You will need to pay for the call as they do not have a toll-free service for calls from outside the US.

Electronically:

• Visit the OEIO webpage to send a message: https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/
• Include your name, date of birth (MM/DD/YYYY), full telephone number, and your reason for contacting them.
• Note that sending multiple messages may cause delays in viewing your message.

Additionally, you can now access many Social Security services online by creating a "my Social Security" account with an ID.me credential. This account allows you to check your earnings, get benefit estimates, check the status of your application, view and print letters, access online notices, and more. To create an account, go to https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount and select "Create an Account." Then, follow the instructions to create an ID.me credential and complete the registration process.

Please note that some services are not available outside of the United States, such as changing your address if you are not a US citizen, changing your direct deposit, and requesting a replacement Social Security card.

Check if you have enough work credits to qualify

To receive Social Security benefits, you must have earned a minimum of 40 work credits throughout your working life. These credits are earned when you work and pay Social Security taxes. The amount of money it takes to earn one work credit can change each year. For example, in 2024, one work credit is earned for every $1,730 in covered earnings, meaning that $6,920 must be made to earn the maximum of four credits for the year.

The number of work credits you have will determine your eligibility for retirement or disability benefits, Medicare, and your family's eligibility for survivors' benefits. However, it does not affect the amount of money you will receive. This is determined by the average of your earnings over your working life.

You can check the number of work credits you have by viewing your Social Security Statement. This can be accessed by creating an online account with Social Security, or by requesting a mailed statement. To create an online account, go to www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ and open an account. If you are over 60 and do not want to create an online account, you can request a mailed statement by calling the Social Security helpline at 800-772-1213 and asking for a form SSA-7004, or by downloading this form.

Your Social Security Statement will also give you an estimate of the benefits you will receive at retirement age or if you become disabled. It is important to check your statement to ensure that your earnings record is correct, as the Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that they make mistakes on at least 3% of official earnings records. If you find an error, you can call the helpline number listed above, or speak to someone in person at your local Social Security office.

Frequently asked questions