Reporting to Social Security????

[Captain Bill]

Ok all of you american cruisers who receive US Social Security Retirement benefits, I have a question. My wife just signed up for Social security and in the handbook she received as well as in a letter she received she was told that she had to report to the Social Security Administration any time she left the country for 30 days or more. Do any of you retired US cruisers out there actually do that. I asked a couple of friends of mine that have already reached that golden age about it and they said they had never heard of such a thing. So basically I'ld like to know if you do this. This is my first attempt at a poll so I hope I set this up correctly.

[armido]

As long as the check deposits directly to a checking account and funds are accessed from ATMs I wouldn't worry too much about it. Did this during 4+ year global circumnavigation.

armido

[bobconnie]

Ive never done anything like that ! My ck go's to direct deposit in my account, and if I need it I use a debit card ! Been doing that for 10 yrs never had a problem yet ! I hope this is a misunderstanding!

[armido]

No misunderstanding, it's a requirement. I believe the government's main objective is to know if you may be in a country where receiving benefits would be prohibited, and to ensure you have not taken up permanent residency outside the U.S.. Are you workiing there & etc.?

armido

[armido]

See Receiving benefits if outside the United States

armido

[CapRon]

That gave me a bit of a startle. After reading Armido's contribution (which made me feel a little better) it looks like it would be best to have the SS check deposited in a US bank and just go about your business. Oh, and don't move to Cuba or North Korea or any of the 'stans or volunteer your whereabouts to the Fed ;-)

[Sandero]

I would prefer to not have them following me wherever I go. As it is with a cell phone your whereabouts are tracked. That's more than enough.

[CapRon]

I just get a local sim card and go. If they can track me they can have me. I travel a lot anyway. No problem.