myWish

1 hour ago, Pib said:

Earlier in this thread in the handwritten note to OPM he said he had an account with Bangkok Bank.  "If he does" and it's at a branch close to him, then the branch could just convert that account to a direct deposit account (if it not already a direct deposit account).    See below snapshot from the Bangkok Bank website regarding receipt of US govt payments/direct deposit account.   There would be no need to open another account, however, when doing this he would lose the debit card associated with the account as a direct deposit account can not have a debit card and and already known a person must appear in person to withdraw/transfer funds.   The direct deposit account also couldn't be used to make ibanking bill payments.

 

 

Would you able to give me a link to this website? Why didn't they say anything about this?

 

1 hour ago, Pib said:

 

OPM would not have stopped them unless the bank started rejecting them.   Bangkok Bank would do that if not being sent to a direct deposit account but they would have spotted that within a month of two of the payment first going to a regular bank account.  Say he had been receiving the payments for 10 years here in Thailand....Bangkok Bank would have started rejecting the OPM/US govt payments long ago if the payments were going to a regular account....no going to a direct deposit account.  And the bank would have sent him a letter telling him such and asking him to come in with a couple of weeks to switch his account to a direct deposit account or the payment would be sent back to OPM. 

 

Not sure if I understand this but I'll copy for him to read.

 

Just seems we may be getting the cart before the horse until it determined "why his payments stopped....until he talks to OPM."

 

For unknown reason, despite telling him several times to ring them up, he didn't follow through. Maybe he's afraid of troubling to be transferred to many people,  I don't really know. One thing I do know for sure is he sometimes has troubles making phone calls from mobile phone. Some things like forget to hang up the phone when finish talking.

 

1 hour ago, lopburi3 said:

That letter is now often required - it will cost $50 on a credit card or cash or about 1600 baht from ACS.  He must sign it when there in front of Consular Officer.  You can download blank form

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/affidavit/

 

Not sure of any proper format but I did one last month as below and Consular Officer signed it. Probably do not need the address and more sure do not need the USA address but trying to cover all possibilities.  

 

I, JOHN B. DOE, a USA Citizen born on xx xxx xxxx at CITY, STATE, USA and the bearer of USA passport number 123456789 issued at US Department of State on xx xxx xxxx which expires on xx xxx xxxx affirm that I reside at FULL LOCAL ADDRESS and my US address is US ADDRESS.

Thank you. I don't think he has a US address any more. Never went back in the past 30 more years. As you suggest, local address should be sufficient.

I think I should update although technically there's nothing to update. ????

 

My sister took the guy to the HQ Bangkok Bank yesterday. Talking at great length to the staff who appeared to be understanding the issues. She suggested my friend to open a bank account at the branch closes to home in case he can't come to withdraw money at Silom there will be services to bring cash to elderly customers to their homes. She gave them her phone number in case there were any problems we could ring her for help. Sounds great! (I have to say that even though they communicated in both Thai and English there were still some misunderstanding in what they actually meant. So if anyone needs to contact them it's safer to have a Thai accompany you to help to explain. Don't presume that they will give you clear information because they themselves don't have a full understanding either. Read on and you will understand why I get frustrated).

 

So, today they went to the branch close to his home. Brought along tonnes of relevant documents and had full expectations to open a new account. Staff at the branch said they couldn't accept his 'valid', 'current' US passport.  He said the US passport alone can't use to open a bank account unless accompanying with some other proof such as a letter from the US embassy confirming his US citizenship or work permit which at 94 years of age can't be expected to have a work permit. (read attached) He also said he would accept a letter from his Thai wife as a proof ???? He was a divorcee for more than 20 years now. So can't supply that either. They tried for several times to contact the woman at the HQ who offered to help if needed, she simply didn't answer the phones.

 

I asked (telephoned-in) what he wanted as a proof from the US embassy. He said he would give a list of what required to open this specific bank account for recipients of US government payments. I thought that would be okay, we understood each other, I hung up the phone. As it turned out, he gave a general information on how to open bank accounts, nothing says anywhere that this is a special account that we're after. We only realised that after they left the bank.

 

Two days, poor old man is exhausted and frustrated. He has appointment with the US embassy next week. Really hope that a letter from the embassy will be sufficient to open this bank account so that he can have all banking details to submit to OPM.

 

 

 

Thank you everyone for your kindness.

 

I've been exchanging emails with the OPM Retirement Services. I think I should share the info for those who interested and for future references in case there will be someone has the same problems. I'll start with the earliest messages until recently this morning.

 

--------------------------------------

On 23 Apr 2019 3:09 a.m., "OPM Retirement Services" <[email protected]> wrote:

Thank you for your email inquiry:

OPM accepts International Direct Deposit changes from annuitants residing in the following locations: 

Please use corresponding IDD form:

Anguilla	OP1
Antigua and Barbuda	OP2
Australia	OP3
Austria	AS
Bahama Islands	OP4
Barbados	OP5
Belgium	OP6
Belize	OP36
British Virgin Islands	OP7
Canada	CN
Cayman Islands	OP8
Cyprus	OP9
Denmark	DN
Dominica	OP42
Dominican Republic	SP–OP1
Egypt	OP33
Estonia	ES
Finland	OP10
France	FR
Germany	GE
Greece	GR
Greece, English version	GR-OP1
Grenada	OP11
Haiti	HC
Hong Kong	OP12
Hungary	HU
Hungary, English version	HU-OP1
Iceland	OP28
India	IN
Ireland	OP13
Israel	OP14
Italy	IT
Jamaica	OP15
Japan	JA
Luxembourg	OP29
Malta	OP16
Mexico	MX-OP2-SP
Netherlands	OP17
New Zealand	OP19
Norway	OP20
Panama	OP21
Poland	PO
Poland, English version	PO-OP1
Portugal	PE
Samoa	OP30
Singapore	OP35
Sint Maarten	OP18
Slovakia	OP31
Slovenia	OP32
South Africa	OP22
South Korea	OP39
Spain	SP
St. Kitts and Nevis	OP23
St. Lucia	OP24
St. Vincent and the Grenadines	OP25
Sweden	SW
Switzerland	SZ
Trinidad and Tobago	OP26
Turkey	OP27
United Kingdom	UK

Complete and mail to:

OPM-ROC
PO Box 45
Boyers, PA 16017

If we can assist you in any other way please contact our office.

Sincerely,

Retirement Operations
Office of Personnel Management
1-888-767-6738

----------------------------------------------------------

Date: 04/22/2019 08:03 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Claim No. CSA

Hi
Thailand is not on the list for international direct deposits.

Please provide an alternative method for people living in Thailand. If you have read my message you will find that this is critical and need to resolve very soon. He is very stressed ........

Cheers

-------------------------

From: OPM Retirement Services [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Wednesday, 24 April 2019 2:17 AM
 

Thank you for your e-mail inquiry.

 Unfortunately, we cannot process your request because we do not accept direct deposit information via e-mail.

 You may make this change by:

 Calling: 1-888-767-6738

• Faxing: 1-724-794-6633

• Writing to:  Office of Personnel Management, PO Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017.

Your direct deposit request needs to include: 

• Your retirement claim number and/or Social Security number

• Financial institution’s 9-digit routing number (also known as an ABA number)

• Account type (savings or checking)

• Account number

• Your signature (required for written requests)

We recommend you verify the direct deposit information with your financial institution.

 You may call our toll-free number 1 (888) 767-6738, fax the information to (724) 794-6633 or write to us at Office of Personnel Management, PO Box 45, Boyers, PA 16017.  Please supply your retirement claim number, the account type (savings or checking), account number, and the financial institution’s 9-digit routing number (also known as an ABA number). We recommend you verify this information with your financial institution.

 If we can be of further assistance, please let us know.

Sincerely,

Retirement Operations
Office of Personnel Management
1-888-767-6738

----------------------------------

 

we're currently assess the situations and hopefully will sort things out very soon.

Thanks again.

52 minutes ago, MeePeeMai said:

True hero, thanks for being so generous and kind to this person in need!

 

What comes around, goes around. He's a very nice and generous man. He deserves better.

13 hours ago, Neocon said:

If your friend is cooperative try to review his other monthly benefits payments, if any. He's "94" and "very slow" as you state so he may struggle with financial details and also have interpersonal trust issues and general comprehension challenges. I would also caution against solely relying on what your friend tells you. If he allows you to accompany him to Bangkok Bank you can hear the unfiltered details for yourself and go from there.

Although he's 94 but his mind is very sharp, his thinking is very clear, only his body that doesn't allow much of what he wants to do. He trusts people very easily, too easy that he was cheated financially several thousand US dollars before we met him. And he still hopes that that 'investment' will return him something after almost 20 years passed without the trace of those people. He's not greedy, I'm telling you.

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Tony125 said:

 

U.S. Citizen Services at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok can provide limited assistance with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issues, including:

1. Submitting an initial inquiry to OPM
2. Certifying supporting documents to accompany benefits applications
3. Assisting with Direct Deposit sign up
4. Reporting missing benefit payments
5. Submitting changes of address
6. Reporting the death of a beneficiary

 

I understand that he went there several times and every time he couldn't talk to anyone. But let's try again. Thanks.

11 hours ago, Neocon said:

myWish - You've received some good information so far. Here's my input.

 

I see two issues.

Please keep us updated. If there are additional pay issues from other agencies, please report back for further information. You may also PM me if you wish. I commend you for helping out!

Thanks so much for very detailed info. Given the numbers of help/advice on this thread I'll surely report back the result.

11 hours ago, BTempleman said:

Where dies this person live? I will refer him to the closest Civilian Liaison Volunteer who can work things out on his behalf. Also,  there are Service Officers in the American Legion and VFW that can help. 

Thanks for the offer. He lives in Pravet area BKK. I'll ask him his contact number and will send PM if he agrees.

Oh! that might answer the whole problems here. I know it was something about his banking but didn't figure it out what.

Thank you so so much.

you people have saved one life. he's a very proud man and rejected my offers to help him (to connect with the modern world) several times until now.

 

Thank you everyone. I think I kind of know something about this US systems ???? after reading several advice.

I attached copies of one of his letter to the personnel since November last year and a replacement card sent by them. The address was from US Office of Personnel Management. So I guess the contact would be the OPM. But why they didn't answer his queries that had been sent several times over the period of 11 months? God only knows.

Thank you. He lives in BKK.

I don't think he has disability in anyway. But the retirement pension should also be considered. I'll ask him anyway if he's in receiving a military pension.

Good advice. It's worth traveling a few more kilometers. Thank you.

Thank you very much indeed.

12 minutes ago, NokNokJoke said:

You may have to figure out which pension he is missing.   Actual Civil Service,  Army,  Social Security, or 2, or 3 of the above.

Now I know that it is a Civil Service Retirement payment.

He had in the past received money in US currency.

Oh! that might be the good start.

 

Are there any paid services for this kind of problem? I'm sure he's willing to pay for if it can help him to get his pension back. He is very old and very slow.

 

Thanks so much.

Thank you so much. Really appreciate your help.

I remember he said something like visiting both the embassy and bangkok bank several times and every time he (to use his word) got 'kicked out'.

With the embassy he said they refused to talk to him and the bank just plainly had no idea what the issues were. Maybe the language barrier.

He really has no one to turn to. poor man.

7 hours ago, joealx said:

 

retire@opm.gov  

 

You may have to wait a while for a reply. What you wrote doesn't sound too promising. Place his civil service ID in the subject. Be sure to explain everything.

what do you mean by 'What you wrote doesn't sound too promising.'?

The reason I asked because I will prepare it better.  I don't know anything about the US pension systems hence don't know how to craft the story. But thanks anyway and I'll try that.

Hello

I hope to get advice on behalf of my friend who is a US citizen, ages 94 years old, and has not received his pension for 11 months now. He tried unsuccessfully to contact relevant personnel at both the USA and US embassy. From what I understand his pension had been sent to wrong bank account in Thailand for nearly a year now thus he cannot withdraw any cash. I don't know the whole story but he almost runs out of fund to live on, to the point that he said he would commit suicide if he exhausts his savings.

 

I understand that he was in the US army but retired in Thailand for 40+ years. There wasn't any problems before. He wouldn't ask for help for almost a year but tried to solve problems himself by sending letters to personnel services in the US which sadly no one heard him. He doesn't know how to make phone calls or using internet or email the authorities, just snail mails. He let me know his CSA, SS and claim numbers.

 

Any advice will be much appreciated.

One thing I like about Thai people, they have such a great sense of humour.

Thanks CP for your info. I'm convinced. And you're right, those terms are not used anymore (see below).

Anyway, I've received a response from the department and wish to post it here for references.

And I wish to thank everyone here who give me guidance and advice.

Here is the response:

We will consider an application to include the subsequent marriage details being added to the child's birth record.

Please return of the original Birth certificate together with

a written amendment request to add the marriage details

copies of at least 3 forms of ID from yourself or the father

a copy of your marriage certificate

payment for a new certificate

Information regarding the correction of certificates can be obtained from www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/amend/amend.htm

I wish to advise that the terms

legitimate,

legitimacy and

legitimation

are not used in the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1995 No 62 (see definitions) .

Thanks, Dragonman. I'll find more info to make sure it can be done before I beg him to do it. Thanks, you saved my life.

Thanks, CP.

But if it's normal, why women who fall pregnant have to get married before the child is born, if they can?

But thanks anyway. I hope evryone's opinion is right, no stigmatise attached.

Oh! Is that so? We're living in NSW.

Looking forward to your reply.