I understand there are people overseas receiving Social Security checks because they were fathered by American men and we the American people are paying the bill.

Q. I understand there are people overseas receiving Social Security checks because they were fathered by American men and we the American people are paying the bill. Is that correct? If so why? If this is true, I can understand why the Social Security funds are so low.

A. It is not true. Children fathered by U. S. citizen men, but born outside of marriage, must be legitimized before being eligible for benefits. Even if legitimized, dependent children are entitled to benefits only upon the retirement, death or disability of the parent.

Foreign national spouses or adopted children living outside the United States are usually ineligible for Social Security benefits unless they have lived in the United States for at least five years in the status that accords them the benefit. Foreign nationals living within the United States must present proof of legal residence before benefits are payable.