Hello,

My husband and I are citizens of India. We've been green card holders for 2+ yrs now. If we decide to go back to India next year, essentially giving up our green cards, can we get a refund of the social security amount (the principal we have been paying) when we go back? We should be completing 40 credits soon.

Thanks in advance for the help.

J Rao

J Rao:

There are NO refunds of Social Security and Medicare taxes for those who are legally liable to pay them (like you and me).

Sorry

Hello,

Thanks for your reply.

I was also wondering about another related question.

We are on green cards. If we go back to India in a few months (after completing 40 credits) without getting a citizenship, essentially giving up our green cards, can we receive SS payments in India when we are of eligible age? The information available on the web is very confusing on this point.

Thanks again
J Rao

You have to pay Social Security taxes for ten years to qualify for a SS pension.

If you have done so,then, yes, In my opinion, you will qualify for a pension regardless of where you live in the world.

Once again, thanks.

If one has no legal status in the US , then in 20-25 yrs or so, when we qualify to get the SS pension, how do we go about applying for it from India?

J Rao

Contact the Social Security Administration to confirm what I told you and to find out how to apply for benefits from India.

The social security does not give out refunds for if you are an H1B or on any other visa... social security is not taken out of your check... things do happen... but the norm is SS and Medicare are not taken out of the checks of
H1B's or anyone on a visa...

LunaGoddess:

Sorry, your information is NOT accurate. Holders of L-1, H-1 and H-1B visas MUST pay Social Security and Medicare taxes.

In most cases, F-1 and J-1 visaholders do NOT pay Social Security and Medicare taxes.

Check out IRS Pub 915 for verification.

Thanks, Atlanta Tax Expert, for your help.

I will go to the SS office and get more info.

J Rao

Glad to help!