What you need to know if retiring overseas

Retiring outside of the United States can be an exciting way to spend your golden years. Perhaps retirement in Poland or Peru is your dream.

In many cases, it’s possible to receive your Social Security retirement benefits while living abroad. The Social Security website can help you navigate your benefit eligibility while living overseas.

If you’ve worked in both the United States and another country, it may be possible for your credits to combine for a larger benefit. There are 25 countries with such international agreements. To find out if you qualify, visit socialsecurity.gov/international Opens in a new tab.

To find out whether you can receive benefits in the country where you are retiring, use the Payments Abroad Screening Tool at 808ne.ws/2hKZ2XV Opens in a new tab.

To report changes to Social Security when living overseas, contact the U.S. embassy, write to Social Security by mail, or call 800-772-1213. For more information, visit socialsecurity.gov/foreign Opens in a new tab.

Nicole Tiggemann is a spokeswoman for the Social Security Administration.