Lugansk bound

[cc3]

Ciao to all on this forum. Not totally a neophyte to visiting ladies in eastern Europe/FSU, I have been doing WOVO since 2006. There were many trips to Bulgaria in the first two years, followed by visits to UA in 2008 and 2012 (intervening years, I tried American women...not very productive, but...at times, interesting). I'm now engaged to sincere, lovely, sweet Ukrainian lady in Lugansk. I'm retired, with significant travel benefits, so, currently plan to live with my fiancee/wife in Lugansk, visiting family in the US three to four times per year. Fiancee has a teenage daughter to get through secondary school...we will re-evaluate the best place to live after her daughter is in university.

This is my third expat-FSU relationship/experience forum. I am soaking up as much info as I can before moving to Ukraine. Thanks...

[ML]

Note:  You can't (legally) receive Social Security benefits while living in Ukraine; except by by special authorization and then traveling to Kyiv once a month to US Embassy to get your check.

This prohibition includes having your SS check sent to a USA bank while you are living in Ukraine.  Don't just take my word for it; read the relevant SS websites carefully.

[Noch1]

I am curious how you will get around the visa problems 90/90??

[cc3]

Note:  You can't (legally) receive Social Security benefits while living in Ukraine; except by by special authorization and then traveling to Kyiv once a month to US Embassy to get your check.

This prohibition includes having your SS check sent to a USA bank while you are living in Ukraine.  Don't just take my word for it; read the relevant SS websites carefully.

Thanks, ML, for your warning. I intend to maintain home of record in US and to travel back frequently to visit family. Point of fact: Social Security checks can be direct deposited to US banks, but, if a declared FSU (except Russia) resident, one must still make monthly appearances at embassy to verify living status.

[cc3]

I am curious how you will get around the visa problems 90/90??

I intend to marry my fiancee, obtain my TPR, and, after two years of marriage, obtain my PR. Until then, I will balance my time in UA with equal time in US with family. I have no travel cost constraints, due to corporate travel benefits.

[calmissile]

Note:  You can't (legally) receive Social Security benefits while living in Ukraine; except by by special authorization and then traveling to Kyiv once a month to US Embassy to get your check.

This prohibition includes having your SS check sent to a USA bank while you are living in Ukraine.  Don't just take my word for it; read the relevant SS websites carefully.

ML,
I reasearched this about a year ago and actually went to the SS office.  They went to a supervisor and asked the question.  When I asked about depositing it in my US bank account they just shrugged their shoulders as if to say that it is not prohibited.  The root of the problem for SS is that they have agreements with some countries to be notified when someone dies, and they do not have that agreement with Ukraine.  SS does not want to send checks after someone has died.  I don't think there is a problem with a direct deposit in your US account (BTW, it is now required... no more mailed checks).

[ML]

ML,
I reasearched this about a year ago and actually went to the SS office.  They went to a supervisor and asked the question.  When I asked about depositing it in my US bank account they just shrugged their shoulders as if to say that it is not prohibited.  The root of the problem for SS is that they have agreements with some countries to be notified when someone dies, and they do not have that agreement with Ukraine.  SS does not want to send checks after someone has died.  I don't think there is a problem with a direct deposit in your US account.

Sorry, you are wrong.  There is a problem with a DD to  your US account or an account anywhere WHILE you are living in Ukraine.  The SS policies specifically prohibit it, except where you get a waiver and travel to Kyiv once a month.

A shrug of shoulders by a local SS office employee (even a supervisor) carries no weight.  You must read the official SS statements on their websites.

Now . . . is it currently being done by several persons (having SS deposited into US or any other bank account) while living in Ukraine?  Almost certainly.
Are there consequences if caught?  Yes, read the SS websites.

This is like those who claim you can deduct your dog as an exemption on Fed taxes because they know a friend whose brother in law's barber has a cousin who has done it for years.

Receiving SS payments while living in Ukraine (or in the other countries listed on the SS website) should only be done by those who are prepared to repay all such amounts when called on the carpet as outlined in the SS websites.