Indonesia is not on Social Security's list of countries where you can work and still receive SSDI payments

If you move to Indonesia or work there while receiving SSDI, your payments will stop. Social Security maintains a specific list of countries where beneficiaries can live and continue to receive benefits. Indonesia is not on that list. This applies whether you are a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident, or a citizen of another country — the rule is the same for everyone receiving SSDI.

The reason your payments stop is not about the type of work you do or how much you earn. Social Security suspends SSDI for anyone who spends more than 30 days outside the United States in a calendar month, with very limited exceptions. Indonesia falls outside those exceptions, so even a temporary move there will trigger a suspension of your benefits.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI payments stop if you live in or travel to Indonesia for more than 30 days in a calendar month, regardless of your citizenship or work status.
  • Social Security publishes a list of about 150 countries where you can live and keep receiving SSDI; Indonesia is not among them.
  • If you are planning to move abroad or take a job overseas, you must report the move to Social Security before you leave the United States.
  • Payments can resume if you return to the United States and meet the conditions to restart benefits, but the process requires contacting Social Security directly.

Which countries allow SSDI payments to continue

Social Security publishes a list of countries where beneficiaries can live without losing SSDI. The list includes most of Western Europe, Canada, Japan, Australia, and several other nations, but it does not include Indonesia or most countries in Southeast Asia. The list changes occasionally, and Social Security updates it based on agreements with other governments and administrative decisions.

You can find the current list on the Social Security website under "Payments Abroad." If you are considering a move, check that list first. If your destination country is not listed, your SSDI will stop the moment you spend more than 30 days outside the U.S. in any calendar month.

What happens to your benefits if you move to Indonesia

Your SSDI payments will be suspended, not permanently canceled. The difference matters: suspension means the payments stop, but you may be able to restart them if you return to the United States and meet the conditions to resume benefits.

You are required to tell Social Security about any plans to leave the country. Call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visit your local Social Security office before you depart. If you do not report the move and Social Security discovers it through other means — such as a passport check or a report from a bank or employer — you may be asked to repay benefits you received while abroad. This is called an overpayment, and Social Security can recover it from future benefits or through other collection methods.

Temporary travel to Indonesia versus permanent relocation

The 30-day rule applies to any time spent outside the United States in a single calendar month, whether the trip is temporary or permanent. If you travel to Indonesia for a vacation or a short work assignment and spend more than 30 days there in one month, your benefits will suspend for that month. They may resume the following month if you return to the U.S., but you must report the travel to Social Security.

If you are planning to relocate permanently to Indonesia, your benefits will stop as soon as you arrive and will not resume unless you return to live in the United States. There is no exception for permanent residents or citizens of other countries — the rule applies equally to everyone.

How to report a move or travel to Social Security

Contact Social Security before you leave the United States. You can call 1-800-772-1213, visit your local Social Security office, or use your account on ssa.gov if you have one set up. Tell them the date you plan to leave, where you are going, and how long you expect to be away.

Social Security will explain what happens to your benefits and may ask for information about your travel plans. If you are moving permanently, they will discuss how to restart benefits if you return. Keep a record of the date you reported your travel — this protects you if there is a later question about when Social Security knew you were leaving.

Restarting SSDI after returning from Indonesia

If you return to the United States and want to restart your SSDI, contact Social Security as soon as you arrive. Your benefits do not automatically resume; you must request reinstatement. The process is faster if you report your return promptly, because Social Security will not have to investigate whether you were actually out of the country.

To restart benefits, you will need to show that you have returned to the U.S. and that you still meet the medical requirements for disability. If your condition has improved significantly while you were away, Social Security may conduct a review to determine whether you still may have access to. Bring documentation of your return, such as a passport stamp or airline ticket, when you contact them.

Work credits and SSDI: the separate issue

Your work credits — the record of earnings that made you may be able to access for SSDI in the first place — are not affected by moving to Indonesia. Work credits are earned and recorded based on your U.S. Social Security taxes, and they do not expire or change based on where you live. The issue with Indonesia is not about work credits; it is about the rule that SSDI payments stop when you live outside the United States in a country not on Social Security's approved list.

If you are concerned about maintaining your work record while abroad, that is a separate question from whether you can receive SSDI payments. You can continue to pay U.S. self-employment taxes if you are self-employed, which will add to your work credits, but your SSDI payments will still be suspended under the foreign residency rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my SSDI if I move to Indonesia temporarily for work?

No. If you spend more than 30 days in Indonesia in a calendar month, your SSDI will suspend for that month. This applies to temporary work assignments as well as permanent moves. You must report any travel outside the U.S. to Social Security before you leave.

What if I am a U.S. citizen living in Indonesia — can I still get SSDI?

No. Citizenship does not change the rule. SSDI payments stop for anyone living in a country not on Social Security's approved list, regardless of whether they are a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or citizen of another country.

Will I lose my SSDI permanently if I move to Indonesia?

Your benefits will be suspended, not permanently canceled. If you return to the United States and meet the conditions to restart benefits, you can request reinstatement. You will need to contact Social Security and provide proof of your return.

Do I have to repay SSDI if I was in Indonesia without reporting it?

Yes. If Social Security discovers you were living abroad without reporting it, you may be considered to have received an overpayment. Social Security can recover this amount from future benefits or pursue other collection methods. Report your travel before you leave to avoid this situation.

Can I work remotely for a U.S. company while in Indonesia and keep my SSDI?

No. The rule is based on where you live, not where your employer is located. If you spend more than 30 days in Indonesia in a month, your SSDI will suspend, regardless of whether you are working for a U.S. company, an Indonesian company, or yourself.