If I earn 40 US Social Security credits but retire in India, will the SSA still pay me there?

In most cases yes. The Social Security Administration pays retirement benefits to eligible people living abroad, and India is on the list of countries where the SSA can send payments, so an Indian citizen who earned the required 40 credits (about 10 years of covered US work) can generally collect a US benefit while residing in India. There are country-specific rules and periodic questionnaires to confirm eligibility, and the alien nonpayment provisions can affect some noncitizens after six months abroad unless an exception applies (residing in a listed country like India is a common exception). Keep your SSA account active, verify your earnings record before you leave, and set up international direct deposit. Confirm your specific situation with the SSA before relying on payments continuing.