topic Re: Vacation abroad in Social Security

Vacation abroad

AbhyG916872 — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 19:40:52 GMT

I am planning on going on vacation abroad for 32 days. I get monthly SS checks electronically for retirement only. I will not make any changes to my payment method. Do I need to let SSA know when I am leaving and coming back?

Re: Vacation abroad

fffred — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 20:40:04 GMT

If you are a US citizen, collecting your "old age" Social Security pension, and you are not changing your residence from the US to elsewhere, there is no need to inform the SSA of travel outside of the US.

The rules will vary for those collecting SSI and possibly SS disability, and for non-citizens.

FWIW, I am a US citizen collecting my SS "old age" benefit and my legal residence is in Canada, no longer the US. Even before moving outside the US we went on longer trips outside the US, having checked the relevant rules for payments.

Bon Voyage!

Re: Vacation abroad

cat0w — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 15:46:11 GMT

@AbhyG916872

If your SS payment already goes to your bank by Direct Deposit you don't have to worry about it. It will continue being deposited.

The Social Security website provides questions and answers.

The United States Social Security Administration