Green card holders can earn Social Security benefits, but the rules depend on how long you've worked and paid taxes in the United States
If you have a green card and have worked in the U.S., you may be may have access to to Social Security retirement, disability, or survivor benefits based on your own work record. The Social Security Administration does not require you to be a U.S. citizen to receive benefits — it requires you to have earned enough work credits through payroll taxes. A green card gives you the legal right to work and pay into Social Security just like any other worker.
However, the rules change if you are not yet a permanent resident, if you leave the United States for an extended period, or if you are sponsoring family members. Understanding which rules explore to your situation will help you know what to expect when you reach retirement age or if you become unable to work.
Key Takeaways
- Green card holders who have paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years (40 work credits) can receive retirement benefits at their full retirement age.
- You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to receive Social Security benefits if you have earned enough work credits through employment in the United States.
- If you leave the U.S. and live abroad, your benefits may be affected depending on which country you move to and your immigration status.
- Sponsoring a family member for a green card does not affect your own Social Security benefits, but it may affect their ability to receive benefits based on your record.
How work credits determine your Social Security may be able to access
Social Security benefits are based on work credits, not citizenship status. You earn one work credit for every $1,470 in wages you earn (this amount changes each year). Most people need 40 work credits — roughly 10 years of full-time work — to receive retirement benefits at their full retirement age.
As a green card holder, every dollar you earn through employment and every payroll tax you pay counts toward these credits. Your employer withholds Social Security tax from your paycheck automatically. You can check how many credits you have earned by creating an account on ssa.gov and viewing your Social Security statement, which shows your complete earnings history.
If you have not yet reached 40 credits, you can still receive disability benefits if you become unable to work and have earned at least 20 credits in the past 10 years. Survivor benefits for your family may also be available with fewer credits.
What happens to your benefits if you move outside the United States
If you are a green card holder and you move abroad, your Social Security retirement benefits will continue to be paid to you in most countries. However, some countries have restrictions. The Social Security Administration maintains a list of countries where benefits cannot be sent, and this list changes periodically.
If you move to a country where benefits cannot be paid, you have two options: you can return to the United States to receive your benefits, or you can request that the Social Security Administration hold your payments until you return or move to an approved country. Before you move abroad, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm whether your destination country is on the restricted list.
If you are not yet a permanent resident — for example, if you are on a work visa — the rules are stricter. Non-citizens who leave the U.S. may lose their benefits entirely, even if they have earned enough credits. Once you have your green card, this restriction no longer applies.
How being a green card sponsor affects your benefits
If you sponsor a family member for a green card, you sign an Affidavit of Support that makes you financially responsible for that person. This document does not reduce your own Social Security benefits. Your retirement, disability, or survivor benefits are based solely on your own work record and are not affected by how many people you sponsor.
However, the Affidavit of Support may affect your sponsored family member's ability to receive certain benefits. Some means-tested programs count your income as if it were theirs, which could disqualify them from information. Social Security retirement and disability benefits based on your record are not means-tested, so your income does not affect whether they can receive them — but they must still meet the other requirements, such as being a green card holder themselves.
Receiving benefits based on a spouse's or parent's work record
As a green card holder, you may be may have access to to benefits based on your spouse's or parent's Social Security record, not just your own. Spousal benefits are typically 32 to 50 percent of what your spouse receives, depending on your age when you claim. You can receive spousal benefits at age 62 or older, even if your spouse has not yet claimed their own benefits (though there are some restrictions if you claim before your full retirement age).
If your parent was a U.S. worker and has passed away, you may be may have access to to survivor benefits as a dependent child or adult child, depending on your age and whether you are disabled. These benefits are not reduced because you are a green card holder rather than a citizen.
To explore these options, you will need your spouse's or parent's Social Security number and birth date. Contact the Social Security Administration to discuss which benefits you may be may have access to to based on their record.
What to do before you claim Social Security benefits
Before you reach your full retirement age, create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. This account shows your complete earnings history, estimated benefits at different ages, and allows you to manage your account online. Review your earnings record carefully — if you see missing or incorrect earnings, you can request a correction by submitting a form and supporting documents such as old tax returns or W-2s.
About four months before you plan to claim benefits, contact the Social Security Administration to begin the process. You can explore online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Have your green card, birth certificate, and proof of U.S. residence ready. If you were born outside the United States, bring your passport or travel document as well.
If you are unsure about your may be able to access or have questions about how your immigration status affects your benefits, ask the Social Security representative directly. They can review your specific situation and explain which benefits you may receive.
When to contact Social Security with questions
Contact the Social Security Administration if you are planning to move abroad, if you notice errors in your earnings record, if you are unsure how many work credits you have earned, or if you want to understand your benefit options before you reach retirement age. You do not need to wait until you are ready to claim — getting answers early helps you plan.
Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778 for deaf and hard of hearing callers) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. your local time. You can also visit your local Social Security office in person or use the online chat feature at ssa.gov. Have your green card number and Social Security number available when you contact them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to get Social Security benefits?
No. You need to have earned enough work credits through employment in the United States, but you do not need to be a citizen. Green card holders, and in some cases other non-citizens, can receive benefits based on their own work record or on a family member's record.
What if I worked in another country before I got my green card?
Work you did before you had your green card does not count toward Social Security credits unless you were authorized to work in the U.S. at that time. However, some countries have agreements with the U.S. that allow work in those countries to count. Contact Social Security to ask whether your prior work in a specific country may be credited.
Can I lose my Social Security benefits if my green card is taken away?
If you have already earned 40 work credits and are receiving benefits, losing your green card does not stop your benefits. However, if you have not yet claimed and your green card is revoked, your may be able to access may be affected. Contact Social Security when ready if your immigration status changes.
How much will my benefits be if I have only worked in the U.S. for a few years?
Your benefit amount is based on your average earnings over your highest 35 working years. If you have worked fewer than 35 years, the calculation includes zero-earning years, which lowers your average. You can see your estimated benefit amount in your my Social Security account or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
What if I am a green card holder but my spouse is not?
Your spouse's immigration status does not affect your own benefits. However, your spouse's ability to receive spousal benefits based on your record may be limited if they are not a green card holder or U.S. citizen. Ask Social Security about your spouse's specific situation.