International Direct Deposit (IDD): Setup, Forms & Country Eligibility (2025)
- International Direct Deposit (IDD) lets Social Security send monthly Title II benefits to a bank account in many countries, often in local currency. Check the current country list before you enroll because eligibility changes. 0
- Enrollment is done with a country-specific SSA-1199 form (or through approved channels with your bank/U.S. embassy/Federal Benefits Unit). The forms page hosts the versions for participating countries. 1
- You can also continue using a U.S. bank account for direct deposit if that’s easier. 2
- Instructions and policy live in SSA’s POMS (GN 02402 series), which also notes mass enrollments and other IDD operations. 3
- Some enrollments can flow electronically from participating financial institutions via SSA’s ENR process, reducing paperwork. 4
What IDD is — and who it’s for
IDD is the Social Security Administration’s electronic payment option for beneficiaries living abroad who want benefits sent to a bank account outside the United States. It’s primarily used for Title II benefits (retirement, survivors, disability). SSI is generally not payable outside the U.S. except for narrow exceptions, so the practical target audience is Title II beneficiaries who reside or bank overseas. You may choose IDD (foreign account) or keep direct deposit to a U.S. account; both are electronic and eligible. 5
Country eligibility (dynamic)
IDD is available in dozens of countries and territories. The SSA maintains a public page listing participating locations and updates it as programs go live or change. Always verify current eligibility before submitting forms or moving funds. 6
How IDD payments move
Behind the scenes, IDD payments are routed from the Treasury/SSA through the Federal Reserve and international processors to your local bank. POMS examples (e.g., the France coding section) describe special routing that allows deposits to reach domestic financial institutions in the destination country. 8
Enrollment channels
Most enrollments use the SSA-1199 (Country) form. Each version captures local bank fields (e.g., IBAN/BIC in Europe; CLABE in Mexico; BSB in Australia). Forms are posted by country on SSA’s site. 9
Some banks can send your enrollment electronically to SSA via the ENR process—faster and fewer errors. Ask your bank whether it participates. 10
Outside the U.S., many beneficiaries work with a Federal Benefits Unit at a U.S. embassy/consulate, which can provide and submit the right SSA-1199 (for example, the Brazil IDD form). 11
Step-by-step setup
- Confirm your country is eligible for IDD today (not last year). Bookmark the SSA list and recheck just before you enroll or move. 12
- Choose where to be paid: a U.S. bank (simple if you keep a U.S. account) or a foreign account under IDD. 13
- Gather bank data for the destination country: account name, local account number/IBAN, bank/branch codes, and the SWIFT/BIC if required. Country forms show exactly which fields are needed. 14
- Complete the SSA-1199 (Country) and have your bank certify their section if required; or ask your bank if it can submit via ENR. 15
- Submit through your FBU/embassy, bank (ENR), or as directed on the country form (mail/fax). Keep a copy of everything. 16
- Monitor first payment. Until your first successful deposit posts, keep enough funds accessible to cover a normal pay cycle.
- Update promptly if you change banks, move countries, or switch currencies to avoid payment rejects.
What you’ll fill in (by region)
| Region | Typical fields | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA & many others using IBAN | IBAN, BIC/SWIFT, account name | IBAN length varies by country; use the exact IBAN from your bank statement (avoid spaces). |
| UK | Sort code, account number, name | Some forms also ask for IBAN/BIC; your bank can supply both. |
| Canada | Transit/branch, institution number, account number | Country-specific SSA-1199-OP form; many enroll via embassy/FBU. |
| Latin America | Bank/branch codes (e.g., CLABE in Mexico), account number | Use the exact national standard on the country’s SSA-1199 form. |
| Asia-Pacific | Bank/branch codes (e.g., BSB in Australia), account number | Expect SWIFT/BIC when cross-border clearing is used. |
Timeline and what to expect
Processing time depends on how you enroll. Electronic ENR submissions through participating banks are typically the fastest; embassy/FBU or mail-in forms may take longer. SSA has also run mass enrollment campaigns when a new country launches IDD, sending preaddressed forms to residents to accelerate onboarding. 17
Costs, currency & exchange
In many countries, the deposit reaches your account in local currency. The exchange occurs before funds hit your bank, following the program’s clearing arrangements. (Ask your bank how it reflects exchange rates and any recipient fees.)
While SSA doesn’t charge a fee, your bank may charge incoming-wire or currency-conversion fees. Compare the cost with keeping a U.S. account and using local ATM/FX solutions.
Illustrative: speed & reliability by method
Subjective training graphic (0–100). Use it to set expectations when choosing an enrollment path.
Changing banks, moving countries, or stopping IDD
- Change banks in the same country: submit an updated SSA-1199 (Country) or use ENR if your bank supports it. 18
- Move to another country: confirm new eligibility first, then enroll with that country’s form to avoid rejects. POMS provides move-country procedures. 19
- Cancel IDD / revert to a U.S. account: follow POMS cancellation guidance or use SSA’s direct deposit update tools. 20
Quality checklist (paste into your SOP)
- ☑ I verified today’s country eligibility and payment rules. 21
- ☑ I chose a U.S. bank or IDD foreign bank for deposits. 22
- ☑ I used the correct SSA-1199 (Country) and matched the country’s banking fields exactly. 23
- ☑ I submitted via ENR (if my bank supports it) or through the Embassy/FBU listed for my region. 24
- ☑ I kept copies and set a reminder to confirm the first deposit.
Common errors (and how to avoid them)
Each country has its own SSA-1199 with fields tailored to local banking standards (e.g., Brazil’s SSA-1199-OP93). Always download the newest version. 25
Copy the IBAN directly from your statement or bank app. Don’t insert spaces or drop characters.
If your country uses branch/transit numbers, ask your bank to fill their section to prevent rejects.
Enroll in the new country before the first payment due after you arrive to avoid payment holds or paper checks.
Quick Guide
- Step 1: Check today’s SSA IDD country list. 26
- Step 2: Decide: U.S. bank or foreign bank under IDD. 27
- Step 3: Get the SSA-1199 (Country) form and gather your exact bank fields. 28
- Step 4: Submit via your bank’s ENR, your Embassy/FBU, or as the form directs. 29
- Step 5: Confirm the first deposit and keep your contact/bank details updated.
FAQ
Can I keep a U.S. bank account instead of using IDD?
Yes. Many beneficiaries abroad keep a U.S. account for direct deposit and use ATMs/FX services locally. 30
Where do I find the correct form for my country?
On SSA’s SSA-1199 forms page, which lists the current versions for participating countries. 31
My bank says it can submit enrollment electronically. Is that valid?
Yes—if your bank participates in SSA’s ENR process, it can transmit your enrollment directly to SSA. 32
Who should I contact outside the U.S. if I need help?
Your local Federal Benefits Unit (at a U.S. embassy/consulate) helps with IDD enrollments and benefit questions; SSA’s foreign operations site provides contact details. 33
Does IDD pay in local currency?
Often yes, depending on the country’s arrangement. The country-specific SSA-1199 explains how your bank fields and clearing work for that location. 34
What if my country just became eligible?
SSA sometimes runs mass enrollment the first year to speed adoption—watch for mailed forms/instructions. 35
How are payments routed internationally?
Payments are coded for the destination country and routed through U.S. Federal Reserve/Treasury partners and a processing bank network to your local bank (see POMS examples such as France). 36
Technical & legal references (federal)
- POMS GN 02402 series: policy for direct deposit outside the U.S.; includes background, enrollment, moves, cancellations, country list, and operations. 37
- Direct Deposit Enrollment Outside the U.S. (mass enrollment notes). 38
- SSA-1199 forms page — country-specific IDD forms. 39
- Payments Outside the U.S. — screening tool and general guidance. 40
- FI electronic enrollment (ENR) overview for all programs. 41
- Sample country form (e.g., Brazil SSA-1199-OP93). 42
IDD lets you receive Social Security into a foreign bank account with fewer fees and delays than paper checks. Your checklist is simple: verify today’s country eligibility, pick your payment destination (U.S. or foreign bank), use the correct SSA-1199 (Country) or ENR, and reconfirm details when you change banks or move. Keep a copy of your form and watch the first deposit—then you’re set.
This material is for general information only and is not legal advice. Always confirm the latest SSA and local banking requirements for your situation.
SSA
Title II benefits
SSA-1199
Federal Benefits Unit
ENR
IBAN
SWIFT/BIC
Payments Abroad
U.S. Treasury