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Out of U.S Social Security

I am living in Cartegena on my sailboat and a monthly Social Security check of $1,293 and cannot afford to live in the States. I shuttle between Panama and Colombia when I run out of time in one country. I have a Colombian girlfriend living with me and she manages to buy food bfor both of us for one month on 500,000 pesos, something I cannot do. I don´t meet the income requirements for residency in Colombia, so that is not an issue and neither of us want to get married and she has no desire to go to the States.

I believe I qualify for Supplemental Social Security at age 65 but the SSA has a requirement that you physically are not out of the country for more than 30 consecutive days.

I can either fly to apply for it or sail my boat back the States.

I am curious to know if anyone is living in Colombia and getting Supplemental Income and how they are geting around the 30 day requirement.

Thanks,
Jerry
S/V Pelleas
Cartegena de India

By gpoore on Oct 13, 2005, 13:19 in Friendly Talkzone.

Lowell says on Oct 13, 2005, 13:32:

Social Security I Lived in Panama for almost 3 years and now live ib Colombia. For the entire time I've been receiving Social Security Disability and the know that I out of country. I know others who receice regular SS retirement that are out of country too. Supplemental SS may be different and you may be required to be in the States to apply for Supplemental. Don't know

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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BAQ says on Oct 13, 2005, 13:33:

You can;t Obviously, you can;t get SSI LEGALLY. SSI is distributed by EACH STATE, and each state has a different requirement.

I think if you look closer, you will find you WILL NOT QUALIFY for SSI because of the amount of your SS check. SSI was designed to SUPPLEMENT income for people who's SS checks are VERY LOW.

All this being said, if you do find a way to get SSI and you get caught, you will (A)subject yourself to criminal penalties for fraud,(B) You will LOOSE you SS checks for 3-6 months for a first violation of SSA rules (Not reporting your REAL address)and (C)SSA will RECOVER ALL THE SSI you got BEFORE you start getting any additional money.

Just my opinion, but it isn;t worth the risk. ALSO, if you know for sure you will not be going back to the U.S.A., you can opt OUT of Medicare Part "B" which will save you about 80 dollars a month.

One question, how can you NOT AFFORD to live on almost 1300 USD a month, especially living on a sail boat?? I know Americans living here on 1000 a month and they have electric bills, telephones and a host of other expenses you would not have living on a boat.

Semper Fidelis !

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Lowell says on Oct 13, 2005, 13:38:

SS Sorry for the typo's. Just woke up from siesta

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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