Can I get back the Social Security payments that I made?

No, you would not be able to receive a refund. It is a tax, not a savings program. However, the money contributed could count towards benefits you may one day be eligible for under your own country's version of Social Security. read more

And for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits, there is five-month waiting period, so you are only eligible to receive back pay for any delay beyond the wait period (see “When Payments Will Begin,” below, for further information). read more

Social Security for Dummies: The easy way to get a handle on it A: Actually, at $80,000 a year, all your benefit would be withheld, based on Social Security's formula of holding back $1 of benefit for every $2 that you make over the earnings limit. read more