Illegals and Social Security Retirement.

DO NOT let anyone tell you that these illegals are working and paying into Social Security and we should be thankful for them for paying into our retirement fund that they will never be able to collect on.


Q. I've been working and paying into the Social Security Retirement fund for 26 years. As an undocumented worker (an illegal), who is now 65 years old, can I collect my retirement benefits?

I have lived here for 33 years. I have not found a path to a green card, but I have worked and paid all required taxes for 26 years. Now I am at retirement age, but I am not sure if I qualify for retirement benefits.




A. You cannot get Social Security Retirement benefits while in the United States unless you somehow get legal status. But if you retire abroad, you might be able to collect your benefits despite your unlawful status here. It's ironic that politicians demonize undocumented immigrants, but fail to mention that many pay into the Social Security system without ever getting to collect their benefits. Wouldn't it be better to let these individuals collect their benefits and spend their money here rather forcing them to leave and spend that money in a foreign country?

Social Security Retirement is financed by employee and employer contributions. Self-employed individuals pay into the system when they file income tax returns. To qualify for benefits, you must have paid into the system for a total of at least 40 quarters (10 years). You can start collecting Social Security Retirement at age 62, but you get bigger checks if you retire later.

Many undocumented immigrants contribute to the Social Security Retirement program. Some report income using valid Social Security numbers. Others use Individual Tax Identification Numbers or phony numbers. These individuals cannot get benefits while in the U.S. because to collect while here you must be "lawfully present." However, undocumented immigrants from more than 120 countries can collect their federal retirement benefits if they retire abroad.

Undocumented U.S. workers must retire abroad to collect their Social Security Retirement benefits
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