SS via Manila - or?

[EVENKEEL]

On 4/24/2025 at 9:31 PM, sqwakvfr said:

Was this before Trump 2.0, DOGE and the Tesla Guy?  I just pased 60 days after submitting my SS at 62 online application.  The only thing I know is " a representative in Manila is reviewing your application and this process should take 30 days".   The 30 days has passed. a month ago.  It is a good thing I don't need the money but one has to wonder what is the current state of SSA?  My goal for SS has always been to collect somethiing at the earliest age in case it implodes anytime before 2035. 

I started my SS in at age 62, in 2020. I made a special trip to USA for appointment. I had it all lined up well before my 62nd birthday.

[sqwakvfr]

3 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

I started my SS in at age 62, in 2020. I made a special trip to USA for appointment. I had it all lined up well before my 62nd birthday.

How long did it take get approval and how long did it take get your first payment?  My application is rather simple. It is just me. No ex, no kids etc, etc.  I have not workedf for a FICA covered employer in over 13 years. I collect a state pension but with the passage of the Social Security Fairness act my pension no longer penalizes me.  

[Equatorial]

1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:

How long did it take get approval and how long did it take get your first payment?  My application is rather simple. It is just me. No ex, no kids etc, etc.

 

I applied first week of February this year with the target of starting the SS pension in March. I was notified that the process was finalized by the end of February. My pension started with the March payment on time. 

[KhaoHom]

Just now, Equatorial said:

 

I applied first week of February this year with the target of starting the SS pension in March. I was notified that the process was finalized by the end of February. My pension started with the March payment on time. 

 

I assume this was done in US and nothing to do with Thailand?

 

At the SS office did they sort you out for Medicare as well? That needs to be done at 65 correct ?

 

If you went into the office how long did it take and what sort of questions did they ask? What legal documents should I bring?

[sqwakvfr]

52 minutes ago, Equatorial said:

 

I applied first week of February this year with the target of starting the SS pension in March. I was notified that the process was finalized by the end of February. My pension started with the March payment on time. 

Wow. That is fast. 

[NoDisplayName]

On 4/25/2025 at 6:51 AM, KhaoHom said:

2 REestablish My SS acct as the one I'd created was in US.

* I would then have two. Will this open me up to some sort of fraud flag and have the accounts locked and then I'm on the phone for 52 hours?

 

Go to website, reset password.

 

Note this part:

 

You will also be asked to confirm your phone number or email address. The SSA will send you a security code to either your phone or email and you will need to enter that code in the appropriate text box. 

 

How to Recover Your Username or Password from SSA  

 

https://denversocialsecuritydisability.com/how-to-recover-your-username-or-password-from-ssa/

[klauskunkel]

On 4/15/2025 at 3:04 PM, Sheryl said:

 

Your benefits get suspended. 

 

This is indeed a concern since the lettters are sent only by snail mail.  I almost never get mine.

 

What I do is print out a blank form, fill it in and  mail it in annually. 

Just started my benefits last year in March, have not yet received any letter. Couple of questions, if I may:

Do you mail the form to Manila or the States? Do you use EMS? What month do you mail it?

[gamb00ler]

On 4/12/2025 at 4:02 PM, KhaoHom said:

I'm going to draw SS next year on my BD.

 

One issue I'm wrestling with is having the money sent to Thailand and be subject to tax no way round it as it plonks into your account. I'd read not to worry as US has tax treaties. Also looks like it will be exempt anyway with possible changes to exempting from US federal income tax.

 

Do I need a special bank account for such monthly deposits?

 

How easy to set up with manila? How about home - using friend address as mail drop?

 

How to send proof of whatever to manila? Maybe window virtual fax? Will they respond via email ? Does anyone make a trip there? Is schedule an appointment I'll complicated like at the embassy here?

 

Thanks in advance

I advise you to avoid Manila if at all possible.  That office seems to have not a single capable employee.  They are tasked with nothing more than collecting your data and then sending it onward to the Baltimore SSA office.  Even that simple job seems to exceed their abilities.

 

Your SS benefits will be completely free from any Thai tax due to the USA-Thai tax treaty.  However, there is no way to avoid US federal tax on them if you meet the criteria.

 

You don't need any type of special bank account at a Thai bank to receive your directly deposited SS benefits.  If you live in Thailand you have no choice but to use the FBU Manila office to set up that direct deposit.

 

I doubt that going to Manila would in any way improve the processing of your SS benefit application.  I believe that Manila is perfectly capable of needlessly delaying your application no matter how you choose to file it.

 

If you still have access to a trusted US assistant/friend and can use their address I recommend that you go to an SS office in USA to start your application process.

 

You should get an UltraMobile PayGo sim and phone number if you're already living in Thailand.  It will satisfy any financial institution as it is a legitimate US mobile service.  You will need someone in the US to help you get that up and running.

[Sheryl]

2 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

Just started my benefits last year in March, have not yet received any letter. Couple of questions, if I may:

Do you mail the form to Manila or the States? Do you use EMS? What month do you mail it?or its 

It gets mailed to the States, Wilkes-Barre Pa. Address is in the form instructions.

 

I go back to the US each summer so mail it priority express mail in July or August. 

 

if mailing ftom Thailand, I'd send either EMS or registered mail and not later than October.