social security benefits

yes

Yes we have SS. The money you make here will be taxed, we just don't have any type of VI tax. You will pay SS, Medicare to the Federal Govt, Withholding will also still be taken out of you pay but it will get paid to the VI Govt. Unless you're self employed you won't have to worry about any of it it will just be done automatically.

Retirement plans kinda depend on what you make for yourself so I'm a little unsure about what you mean. Are you asking if most jobs here have 401k? Well the local govt is the biggest employer in the VI and they do, some the hotels and other large corp type jobs. Same with health insurance. Most people do not get it with their jobs.

SS office on stx is in sunny isle, but I'm sure you could get the info you are looking for from the internet site.

If you are asking can you pay into and then collect social security while living the the USVI. The answer is yes. The SS system is the same here as elsewhere in the USA. We began our ss payments last year. The entire process can be completed on-line, we never set foot in the SS office on STX.

I signed up for it online last March and got a job in the interim. Then went into the office and cancelled it and it has taken this long to make it happen. Take a number and a book to read if you go there...

Thanks again for all your input ! here's a possible scenario we're looking at. Selling house in US & buying condo in USVI hopefully by age 59, finding work( Janitorial or custodial) for a few years on St. Croix enough to cover living expenses then retiring at 62 and living off SS & personal retirement accounts. Has any one done anything similar to this and if so do you collect SS from both the US & USVI ?

Everything goes into the same federal system for SS.

I filed for SS benefits here in STX at the Sunny Isle office in Sept 2007. It took less than 30 days for my 1st direct monthly deposit into my checking account to occur. And as Ric said -everything goes into same federal system for SS. Might I also add the same applies for Medicare. Live here or live in states - it's all the same deal/procedure.

Jumbie -STX

Miked: You can collect your Social Security benefits anywhere in the world. Thank you for considering one of the most expensive places to retire!

Thanks again to everyone for your input !