US Social Security Administration Bars Payments to Cuba, North Korea

The US Social Security Administration (SSA) has confirmed that residents of Cuba and North Korea are prohibited from receiving Social Security payments, as mandated by restrictions from the US Department of the Treasury. This prohibition applies regardless of individuals' eligibility under standard Social Security rules.

For US citizens living in these countries, payments are not permanently forfeited; they can access withheld payments upon relocating to a country where the SSA can send funds. However, non-US citizens face stricter consequences, as any months spent in Cuba or North Korea result in a permanent loss of benefits for those periods, with no mechanism for recovering withheld amounts.

For instance, a US citizen who retires in either country will have their monthly payments suspended for the duration of their stay. These restrictions are not administrative decisions by the SSA but are enforced sanctions from the Treasury Department.