I lived in the usa for 50 years and paid into the social security system. I am now 53 and retired living in china, I have no intention of returning to the usa. How can I get back all of the social security moner I paid in.

If it works in the US, same as Canada, your social security contributions were put aside for your retirement at 65. We call it here in Canada Old Age Security Payments. I do believe that you just can't expect to pull that money out of the US at age 53, and unless you made periodic trips back to the US to maintain your status as a US citizen, you won't be able to access that even age 65. I may be wrong, and you should check on line with your government.

Tick

Not sure if he is eligible or how he can receive it, but I do know this... His money is not 'set aside' here in the States. The politicians have been using it for other 'needs' for years.

OP would have to file for SS benefits when he/she reaches retirement age. Unfortunately, there are NO refunds! It's not a savings account.

Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States (http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10137.html)

Are you a US citizen living in China now? If you are a Chinese citizen who lived and worked in the US you may not be able to get any payouts of whatever you paid into the Social Security system over the years you did work here. You would have to wait until you are at least 62 years old before you could even begin getting SS retirement benefits. If you are a US citizen living in China, then you could receive these benefits and still live in China. If you are a Chinese citizen you would have to reside in the US in order to receive these benefits. The benefits would stop if you moved back to China.

You are SOL, since your money was confiscated by a bunch of thugs. It is legitimate though because the thugs work for the Federal Government, and whatever they do is OK, because it is for your own good. Anyway, what do you need the money for in China? Doesn't the Chinese Government take care of all your needs? I think you are just another greedy American who thinks that they should be able to keep the money they earn. Good riddance to you.