Need advice about US Social Security with retirement in Malaysia.

Hi there.  I am a US citizen, married to a Chinese Malaysian who had to give up citizenship when she came to US.  I loved Malaysia so much that once I learned about the MM2H under the old rules, I quickly had an agent help me get approved (pre-covid) and I got it in the nick of time before the changes.  It sounds like they will reduce the requirements.

I can't help you with your specific situation, but I just wanted to chime in that I too am investigating whether to buy a nice, sea view condo or just rent in Penang.  It seems like the prevailing advice is to rent since there is plenty of supply.  I am concerned about how condos there are reserved and potential maintenance issues down the road that paying rent may be worth it.  I will most likely rent first for a year while I learn the lay of the land and learn to drive and then if a great deal comes up I can then buy.  No hurry.

While Im not currently facing these issues they are nevertheless very interesting to me. Its completely new news that SCMedics wife, not being a citizen, cant receive SS benefits while outside US. Or maybe I missed something while previously reading about this.

To me, thats unwarranted unfairness and what I would do is have the SS go to a local US bank account and then just transfer to Malaysia as needed. I do that method already but Im a citizen. I DO remember this topic being discussed on another forum regarding expats in Ecuador but I cant remember details, only that there was a problem for people having SS sent abroad even though SS allows it. The problem was that SS can send to anyone provided the country and particular bank has an agreement with US about it and not all do. In any case, SS money is earned and yours and id fight and find the ways to receive it, and not accept not getting it. Having to become a citizen is a big step and i would do the workaround as I noted and be done with it.