Social security pensions in the United States are usually thought to be received by conscientious taxpayers who have paid their taxes, but not everyone can receive social security pensions just because they pay taxes. Eligibility for Social Security benefits depends on immigration status. We summarized how immigration status affects social pensions.<\/p>\n
– Other than citizens and permanent residents, what kind of status do you need to have to receive a social pension?<\/p>\n
Social Security is only available to people with lawful residency status in the United States. All you need is to maintain lawful immigration status in the United States, including those who are eligible to work in the United States, such as E-2 or H-1B.<\/p>\n
In addition, as a spouse of a citizen, you can receive social benefits even if your immigration petition has been approved and your I-485 is pending.<\/p>\n
– Does this mean that disabled people cannot receive social pensions?<\/p>\n
If you do not have lawful immigration status in the United States, you cannot receive Social Security benefits. When paying taxes, you must pay social security tax regardless of your immigration status. But it’s a different story when you get Social Security in the US. Without legal status, you cannot get Social Security benefits in the United States. However, even if they do not have immigration status, Koreans can receive social pensions when they return to their home countries, thanks to the Korea-US Social Security Agreement signed in April 2001.<\/p>\n
-Can all undocumented persons receive these benefits?<\/p>\n
Not like that. For example, Mexico, which has the highest number of illegal immigrants by country, does not have a social security agreement with the United States. Mexican nationals are not entitled to any benefits if they return to their home country after paying taxes in the United States for decades.<\/p>\n
The United States and Mexico drafted a social security agreement, but did not agree to ratify it, citing that Congress would be too burdensome for the United States to sign such a social security agreement with Mexico. However, Canada has a social security agreement with Mexico, so Mexicans who worked illegally in Canada and paid taxes can receive Canadian Social Security in Mexico when they return to Mexico after retirement.<\/p>\n
Even if you give up your citizenship, you can continue to receive social benefits abroad even if you do not come to the United States if you are from a country that has a social welfare agreement with the United States. However, if a person from a country that does not have a social welfare agreement with the United States has given up his permanent residence or citizenship, he or she must return to the United States every six months from abroad and stay for one month to continue receiving social pensions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"