Is the news about Social Security benefits being affected by residency status in Thailand fake news?

scaremongering

Yes, fake news

Check the SS website. They have always required you keep your address up to date but I’ve never seen any indication they’re going to enforce it and even if they did it would be difficult and expensive

How would Social Security know I am not in the US? My money goes to a US bank.

As Carl says this is Supplemental Security Income. You need to be resident in the US to get this, and you can't leave for longer than a month.

"is not absent from the 50 States, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands for a full calendar month or for 30 consecutive days or more;"

Ask in a US group, not a Thailand group, if you want reliable information

Normal social security does not have this restriction

Only SSI (disability)

SSI stands for Supplemental Security Income. Social Security administers this program. We pay monthly benefits to people with limited income and resources who are blind, age 65 or older, or have a qualifying disability. Children with disabilities or who are blind may also get SSI.

HOW IS SSI DIFFERENT FROM SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?

Many people who are eligible for SSI may also be entitled to Social Security benefits. In fact, the application for SSI is also an application for Social Security benefits. However, SSI and Social Security are different in many ways.

small blue ballSocial Security benefits may be paid to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured”, meaning you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI benefits are not based on your prior work or a family member's prior work.

small blue ballSSI is financed by general funds of the U.S. Treasury--personal income taxes, corporate taxes, and other taxes. Social Security taxes collected under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) or the Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA) do not fund the SSI program.

They used the word hitched instead of getting married It’s definitely a scam

Can I suggest you look on the SS website for any changes? This publication may not be accurate.