Can You Collect Social Security While Living Abroad? Yes — Here's How
If you are planning to retire in Brazil and you have paid into Social Security, the good news is straightforward: you can collect your full Social Security benefits while living in Brazil. The check keeps coming. And in Florianópolis, that check goes much, much further than it does in the United States.
Social Security Payments to Brazil: The Basics
The Social Security Administration (SSA) pays benefits to eligible recipients living in most foreign countries, and Brazil is on the approved list. You can receive your payments via direct deposit to a US bank account (which you then transfer to Brazil via Wise or similar) or, in some cases, directly to a foreign bank account. Most expats use the US bank account method as it is simpler and gives you more control over when you convert currency.
There are no restrictions on the amount you can receive or how long you can live abroad and continue collecting. As long as you are eligible for Social Security, your benefits continue regardless of where you live.
How Far Does Social Security Go in Florianópolis?
The average Social Security retirement benefit in 2025 is approximately $1,907 per month. In most US cities, that amount barely covers rent. In Florianópolis, $1,907 per month covers your entire cost of living — rent, food, utilities, healthcare, entertainment — with money left over.
A comfortable one-bedroom apartment in a good neighborhood rents for $400 to $600 per month. Groceries for one person run $150 to $250 per month. Private health insurance costs $80 to $150 per month. Utilities (electricity, internet, phone) total $80 to $120 per month. That leaves $700 to $1,000 per month for dining out, travel, and savings — on a single Social Security check.
The SSA's Reporting Requirements
When you move abroad, you must notify the Social Security Administration of your new address and foreign residence. The SSA periodically sends questionnaires to beneficiaries living abroad to confirm they are still alive and eligible. Failing to respond to these questionnaires can result in suspended payments, so it is important to keep your contact information current with the SSA.
You can manage your Social Security account online at ssa.gov, update your address, and set up direct deposit — all without needing to visit a US Social Security office. The SSA also has a Federal Benefits Unit at the US Embassy in Brasília that can assist with complex situations.
Taxes on Social Security While Abroad
Social Security benefits may be subject to US federal income tax depending on your total income. If Social Security is your primary income and you have little other income, you likely owe no federal tax. Brazil does not tax US Social Security benefits received by foreign residents under the US-Brazil tax treaty. Consult an expat tax specialist to confirm your specific situation.
Medicare: The Exception
While Social Security travels with you, Medicare does not. Medicare does not cover healthcare outside the United States (with very limited exceptions). If you are on Medicare and move to Brazil, you will need to arrange separate health coverage in Brazil. As discussed in our healthcare guide, a Brazilian private health plan (plano de saúde) costs $80 to $200 per month and provides excellent coverage — far less than what most Americans pay for Medicare supplements.
The Real Opportunity
For American retirees, Brazil represents a genuine opportunity to retire well on Social Security alone. The math is simple: a benefit that barely covers rent in Phoenix or Tampa covers an entire comfortable lifestyle in Florianópolis — including private healthcare, fresh food, beach access, and a warm climate year-round. This is not a compromise. It is an upgrade.