Social Security
What is the problem?
For many years U.S. citizens living and working abroad who drew pension benefits from foreign pension plans where subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) which reduced their U.S. Social Security benefits because of their foreign pension benefits. On January 5, 2025, President Joseph Biden signed into law the Social Security Fairness Act which repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). ACA's position has always been that US citizens overseas should not be penalized simply because they spent part of their careers abroad, or because they retire abroad and/or have a foreign spouse or adopted children. ACA worked alongside other groups advocating for the legislation and is pleased to see that Congress finally addressed the problem.
ACA will continue to monitor how the Social Security Administration will be addressing the new legislation and how the Social Security Administration will be advising beneficiaries on the recent change in law. Social Security will be providing updates here.
ACA continues to advocate for the Social Security Administration to provide dedicated support to US citizens overseas who are accessing Social Security benefits. This includes on-line viewing of their accounts, assistance for first-time applications for Social Security numbers and a dedicated outreach for overseas Americans with questions and problems. Currently Social Security services are provided through the Federal Benefits Units (FBU) located in US Consulates and Embassies, many which have been closed or consolidated in recent years. For more information, see Social Security Benefits While Overseas.
What we are doing about it?
ACA is working with Social Security and the US State Department (FBUs in Embassies and Consulates) to insure that services are made available to US citizens overseas.
How can you help?
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Donate to us or to the ACA Global Foundation to support our research and advocacy efforts
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Join ACA to gain access to membership benefits and support us
What has been achieved so far?
Legislation calling for the full repeal of WEP House bill H.R.82 - Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 was signed into law on January 5, 2024 by President Joseph Biden.
US citizens living overseas can now create a personal my Social Security account and access many of our online services using their ID.me credential.
View our submissions to Congress on this issue and others here