Can I still collect Social Security if I move to Costa Rica?

Yes, you can collect your full US Social Security benefits while living in Costa Rica. The US Social Security Administration pays benefits to American citizens in nearly every country worldwide, including Costa Rica. You can have payments deposited into a Costa Rican bank or kept in a US account and withdrawn from local ATMs. The average US Social Security retirement benefit sits around $1,900 per month in 2026, above Costa Rica’s moderate lifestyle benchmark of $1,550 per person. Costa Rica’s Pensionado residency visa accepts Social Security as qualifying pension income at $1,000 monthly minimum, making this one of the most popular retirement pathways for Americans. For the full retiree cost context, see our Costa Rica page.