Well as most of us that care know, filing of this form was exempted for 2020 because of the pandemic.

But now it's 2021.

Has anyone received the first letter yet usually mailed May/June?

If not, will it be exempted for 2021 as well?

I have not gotten one and I am not aware of anybody getting one.

Apparently they are not sending them out this year.

It has been discussed in last years topic. One of the firsts post about it is here.

 

I'm leaning towards doing the 'email to Manila'' shuffle again this year. No harm, no foul.

 

Also considering popping one in the mail to Wilkes-Barre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 7/25/2021 at 9:08 AM, mtls2005 said:

I'm leaning towards doing the 'email to Manila'' shuffle again this year. No harm, no foul.

 

Also considering popping one in the mail to Wilkes-Barre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then you risk "confusing" them.

On 8/18/2021 at 12:40 PM, John Drake said:

And then you risk "confusing" them.

 

Why?

 

Many did this last year, on the recommendation of various officials.

 

For this year I chose not to email or post anything.

 

Seeing the same recommendation (word for word) across various ex-military, ex-government, foreigner-abroad type websites and forums...

 

NOTICE REGARDING FORMS SSA-7161 AND SSA-7162
BECAUSE OF POSTAL SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS AROUND THE WORLD DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION HAS SUSPENDED MAILING THESE FORMS. SSA WILL NOT SUSPEND YOUR BENEFITS IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED AND RETURNED THE FORMS IN 2020. SSA WILL RESUME MAILING THE FORMS AT A LATER DATE WHEN CONDITIONS HAVE CHANGED.

 

Assume they all lift it from here: https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/

 

The latest update from the USPS re: Thailand

 

Thailand
7-15-21

Thailand Post advises that a significant number of new COVID-19 cases has led the government to extend a nationwide state of emergency until Sept. 30. The post will continue to provide services but will be operating with a reduced workforce and under new restrictions and safety guidelines. This could impact mail processing for international inbound and outbound items and service delivery standards. A force majeure continues until further notice.

 

https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm

Since it is over 2 month later than I would normally get the 7162 form it makes me believe that have not been sent.

I have gotten mail from the US and one that arrived later in June than the 7162 normally does and it only took about 2 weeks.

I have not heard of anybody getting a 7162 this year so I am certainly not worried about it.