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.

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.  

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. 

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?

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. 

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/

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?

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.

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. 

 

 

Got an email from FBU Manila.  The email only took 100 days from when I applied online.  My telephone call/interview will be in late July. This is better than nothing. 

On 5/29/2025 at 8:49 AM, sqwakvfr said:

Got an email from FBU Manila.  The email only took 100 days from when I applied online.  My telephone call/interview will be in late July. This is better than nothing. 

Blame DOdGE!

31 minutes ago, unblocktheplanet said:

Blame DOdGE!

Probably but I still wonder how backed up they must be to not address an online application until more than 3 months have passed.  FBU actually warns people not to send too many emails?  I sent two  emails and after the second one I got a response.  Could this be a indicator of the future of SSA?  

Effective April 14, 2025, you must prove your identity in person if you need to change your direct deposit information 

My guess is the appointments will fill up. Maybe a flight to BKK is in the works for me:

 

The Social Security Administration's Federal Benefits Unit (SSA/FBU) will provide services on Thursday July 24 at the American Citizen Services Section of the U.S. Embassy Bangkok. We have a limited number of appointments, so sign up now to secure your appointment. Please sign up via the link below. Closer to the date of the event the American Citizen Services section will provide more specific information via email to those who register successfully. https://forms.office.com/g/1Uypg7twD5

If I state I am living here and sign up with Thai address, but have money sent to US account. Am I still subject to dread letter?

 

The US address is constant, but we are prone to move every few years here. I'm sure I need to report this 🙄. Would anyone have any rough idea of what's involved with an address change?

 

Im going to try and finish up my IDMe and then attend the meeting 24th.

 

Thanks for that heads up @gamb00ler

9 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

If I state I am living here and sign up with Thai address, but have money sent to US account. Am I still subject to dread letter?

 

The US address is constant, but we are prone to move every few years here. I'm sure I need to report this 🙄. Would anyone have any rough idea of what's involved with an address change?

 

Im going to try and finish up my IDMe and then attend the meeting 24th.

 

Thanks for that heads up @gamb00ler

Yes.

If SS has your foreign address, it makes no difference at all where you send the benefits.

You will still be subject to the "proof of life" annual letter.

That is exactly my situation (Thai address with SS, send benefits to US account.)

Given the DOGE "reforms" yes changes of address will be more problematic now.

They say the goal is screen out "fraud" but that's a lie when the obvious goal is to create hoops that will deprive many people of deserved benefits because that's how they can save money for the tax cuts for the wealthiest.

Many expats lie and tell SS they live in the US when they don't.

In such cases, obviously they are exempt from the letter.

There may or may not be conseqeunces if SS ever discovers that

An advantage of falsely stating US residence is what you can then sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan that will cover acute emergencies abroad.

For Medicare Advantage you must have a US zip code address and your SS and Medicare addresses must match.

Have fun.

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Yes.

If SS has your foreign address, it makes no difference at all where you send the benefits.

You will still be subject to the "proof of life" annual letter.

That is exactly my situation.

Given the DOGE "reforms" yes changes of address will be more problematic now.

They say the goal is screen out "fraud" but that's a lie when the obvious goal is to create hoops that will deprive many people of deserved benefits because that's how they can save money for the tax cuts for the wealthiest.

Many expats lie and tell SS they live in the US when they don't.

In such cases, obviously they are exempt from the letter.

There may or may not be conseqeunces if SS ever discovers that

An advantage of falsely stating US residence is what you can then sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan that will cover acute emergencies abroad.

For Medicare Advantage you must have a US zip code address and your SS and Medicare addresses must match.

Have fun.

 

Thanks. I'll leave the Medicare alone. It's unfortunate so much expat disadvantage.

 

What has in fact changed as you say due to DOGE cuts? DOGE is just a recommending committee of sorts. Has no actual bearing on SS especially.

 

Im looking at this two ways. First, money in US might earn a bit of interest, can bring it over when x rates best. Money sent here is convenient and sooner or later I will lose US address (maybe 10 years).

Just now, KhaoHom said:

 

Thanks. I'll leave the Medicare alone. It's unfortunate so much expat disadvantage.

 

What has in fact changed as you say due to DOGE cuts? DOGE is just a recommending committee of sorts. Has no actual bearing on SS especially.

 

Im looking at this two ways. First, money in US might earn a bit of interest, can bring it over when x rates best. Money sent here is convenient and sooner or later I will lose US address (maybe 10 years).

They changed the rules on changing addresses. Made it harder. I don't know all the details. In some cases, people are being required to visit physical offices.

It's naive of you to think that DOGE was just a "recommending" committee. They came into agencies smashed things up with mass firings, etc. Almost definitely the delayed "proof of life" letter was part of the damage that they did.

 

Many US expats need to send the money directly to a Thai bank every month to use the 65k baht a month income method for their annual retirement extensions. 

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

They changed the rules on changing addresses. Made it harder. I don't know all the details. In some cases, people are being required to visit physical offices.

It's naive of you to think that DOGE was just a "recommending" committee. They came into agencies smashed things up with mass firings, etc. Almost definitely the delayed "proof of life" letter was part of the damage that they did.

 

Many US expats need to send the money directly to a Thai bank every month to use the 65k baht a month income method for their annual retirement extensions. 

 

But you don't know and unclear on any details. Not even third person experience of reporting.

 

I got your politics, but DOGE is not law. Having said that I also understand there may have been recommended changes, makes sense. Those changes may occur or occurred - but you/ we don't know. I think this is a bit of fear-mongering on your part to be honest. There must be some way in which to report a change of address for those overseas without going to the United States. I've no idea what that might be perhaps a visit to the embassy? There must be a solution for us...even if it's Manila (which should be shut down due to incompetence)

 

Thanks

17 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

 

But you don't know and unclear on any details. Not even third person experience of reporting.

 

I got your politics, but DOGE is not law. Having said that I also understand there may have been recommended changes, makes sense. Those changes may occur or occurred - but you/ we don't know. I think this is a bit of fear-mongering on your part to be honest. There must be some way in which to report a change of address for those overseas without going to the United States. I've no idea what that might be perhaps a visit to the embassy? There must be a solution for us...even if it's Manila (which should be shut down due to incompetence)

 

Thanks

The Trump regime is lawless.

DOGE went in and effected MASS FIRINGS without any legislation passed.

If you choose to live in a fantasy land that the US still has a normal government, be my guest.

 

 

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

The Trump regime is lawless.

DOGE went in and effected MASS FIRINGS without any legislation passed.

If you choose to live in a fantasy land that the US still has a normal government, be my guest.

I never said you would need to visit the US to change your address.

I stated a fact about a policy change to make changing addresses more difficult with the fake reason to stop fraud, when the real reason is to push people off benefits with difficult hoops.

 

Lol. Totally baseless conspiracy then. Got it.

 

So, if it doesn't require you to go to USA then how difficult could it be?

 

Visit the embassy with your latest lease and or Immigration/ police address verification??

 

The above would perhaps even be preferable for me over sending in some form to of all places Baltimore. Especially given the annual panic I read on here about filing the I'm not dead yet form

 

Maybe get hold of a four year supply of Xanax? 🤣

10 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

 

Lol. Totally baseless conspiracy then. Got it.

 

So, if it doesn't require you to go to USA then how difficult could it be?

 

Visit the embassy with your latest lease and or Immigration/ police address verification??

 

The above would perhaps even be preferable for me over sending in some form to of all places Baltimore. Especially given the annual panic I read on here about filing the I'm not dead yet form

 

Maybe get hold of a four year supply of Xanax? 🤣

Sorry, but I did make a mistake.

The crackdown on changes is actually about when you want to change your DIRECT DEPOSIT information rather than change of address.

So probably OK with changes of addresses.

I have no problem owning up to errors if I discover them,

Expats should be very confident about the direction of their direct deposits though and that is an actual policy change.

Social Security Administration to require in-person identity checks | AP News

www.apnews.com/article/social-security-fraud-waste-doge-elon-musk-212e3089951f731fd3f83443e104b315

 

About DOGE instigated firings. Not done by normal legislation:

 

DOGE Orders Layoffs at Social Security, Plans to Gut IT Team as Website Continually Breaks: Report

www.gizmodo.com/doge-orders-layoffs-at-social-security-plans-to-gut-it-team-as-website-continually-breaks-report-2000585252

 

Another issue with DOGE is the widely help suspicion that data about citizens was copied to be potentially used for commercial and political purposes by Elon Musk as they came into agencies with NO OVERSIGHT whatsoever. Like I said -- LAWLESS.

19 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Another issue with DOGE is the widely help suspicion that data about citizens was copied to be potentially used for commercial and political purposes by Elon Musk as they came into agencies with NO OVERSIGHT whatsoever. Like I said -- LAWLESS.

 

As the OP - this is unrelated and again baseless conjecture.

 

In fact, it's laughable double especially in light of all the social media, government Biden anti speech efforts during COVID and pre election.

 

* No evidence

* No such data kept

* Biden was literally forming authoritarian committees known to have been used against social media and the American people.

 

It really discounts any helpful information you may provide here. Seems you can't help yourself. Your baseless fear mongering is tiresome

 

Finally, cuts and job layoffs do not necessarily mean cuts in productivity especially now AI is coming to the fore. There are thousands of individuals at this very moment despite seven months of trump in office that do not show up to work in Washington DC. The system is entirely broken. If you're looking for your benefits to continue past 2033 you might consider that cutting waste, fraud and abuse is not such a bad idea.

 

*I'd lived in Washington DC for 5 or 6 years 85-90 and it wasn't exactly a productive place even back then.

I set up my ss living in Thailand and to say it was a PITA would be an understatement. Even though I've been using a California address as my official home, I made the mistake of saying I was physically in Thailand. As such, I was forced to use the ss office in Manilla.

 

I spent HOURS on the phone because (at that time) it was the only way they would communicate. Dropped calls (thereby losing my place in the queue) was the most frequent ordeal. The only way I was finally able to get things started was to make an appointment with a specific agent and repeatedly call until we got things settled.

 

Someone previously mentioned doing a face-to-face in the states. If I had to do it all over, I think that is the way I would go. If you have a relative that would let you use their address as a base, that would be best, then set up an appointment to go see them personally at the office closest that address. Good luck and may it pass quickly.

2 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I set up my ss living in Thailand and to say it was a PITA would be an understatement. Even though I've been using a California address as my official home, I made the mistake of saying I was physically in Thailand. As such, I was forced to use the ss office in Manilla.

 

I spent HOURS on the phone because (at that time) it was the only way they would communicate. Dropped calls (thereby losing my place in the queue) was the most frequent ordeal. The only way I was finally able to get things started was to make an appointment with a specific agent and repeatedly call until we got things settled.

 

Someone previously mentioned doing a face-to-face in the states. If I had to do it all over, I think that is the way I would go. If you have a relative that would let you use their address as a base, that would be best, then set up an appointment to go see them personally at the office closest that address. Good luck and may it pass quickly.

 

Thanks for that. Yeah, Manila email communication has been farcical.

 

I'm going to sort out IDMe next week and attend the SS meeting at the embassy for info.

 

I've booked a visit to US to sort out financial stuff and deal with SS if I can't complete online.

 

Im quite uncertain where to send deposits. I will lose the US address at some time in the future. The bank can remain despite (for some years maybe not my lifetime). Sending money here resolves all plus no tax questions about pension income. So, I think I'll go with Thailand.

 

A sticking point with IDMe seems to be requesting odd bits of paper like bills which I don't have as opposed to solid ID documents which I do. Anyway, that's IDMe

1 hour ago, KhaoHom said:

 

As the OP - this is unrelated and again baseless conjecture.

 

In fact, it's laughable double especially in light of all the social media, government Biden anti speech efforts during COVID and pre election.

 

* No evidence

* No such data kept

* Biden was literally forming authoritarian committees known to have been used against social media and the American people.

 

It really discounts any helpful information you may provide here. Seems you can't help yourself. Your baseless fear mongering is tiresome

 

Finally, cuts and job layoffs do not necessarily mean cuts in productivity especially now AI is coming to the fore. There are thousands of individuals at this very moment despite seven months of trump in office that do not show up to work in Washington DC. The system is entirely broken. If you're looking for your benefits to continue past 2033 you might consider that cutting waste, fraud and abuse is not such a bad idea.

 

*I'd lived in Washington DC for 5 or 6 years 85-90 and it wasn't exactly a productive place even back then.

Trumpist talking points. No credibility. 

Completed IDMe and was able to use that to gain access to SSA site.

 

I can see now there is a button to begin application process for SS. I should have clicked it and just seen where it went but was happy to just close the browser out to be done with the whole thing.

 

The wait was hours. The guy online was great and extremely patient I was technical difficulties.

 

I now need to find out the sign up for around my bd and Medicare A.

 

Getting 10% more than I'd expected, so I was happy to see that

 

 

Thank you for all your posts and help.

On 4/15/2025 at 2:10 PM, KhaoHom said:

I've no idea about any ID Me (guess I should find out) 

but -

*I have a Real ID from CA

*I'm in My SS but pw may be lost

* Passport

* Certified copy

* Legal papers

I established my MySS account years ago, while I still lived in the States -- and when I had already begun SS payments. So, it was somewhat handy, when I could log on with a password -- to include changing my mailing address to a a mail forwarding address in Houston, after I moved to Thailand. No need to provide a physical address when I did this -- so as far as they're concerned, I haven't vacated America -- and no need to advise them of this, if you're getting a retirement check; don't live in North Korea; and are not getting an SSI check. Thus, no "are you alive" letters.

 

But, I intentionally never checked "paperless," so all my SS correspondence is still forwarded over here with my Houston mail forwarding firm. I did occasionally like logging into MySS to get a scan -- prior to the forwarding -- to get the updated info soonest. But, now that I've been forced to go to ID Me -- I guess I'll have to await the mail forwarding service for SS updates........

 

..... because ID Me wasted half my morning today trying to establish particulars. My passport info was fine. But my US drivers license expired years ago, so I couldn't use it. And, they want two documents with full Social Security numbers shown -- heck, all my pay statements, 1099s, etc have truncated SSNs, due to security -- so none of them passed the ID Me screening test. Only my DD 214 discharge paper, of 35 years ago -- before truncating -- passed.

 

Anyway, I guess I could waste another morning chatting about this, and maybe arriving at a solution. But why? Right now I'll just have to await the mail forwards for any SS updates -- no biggy (and most of this info, like 1099 info, I can figure out from my monthly automatic bank deposits). If they finally eliminate the option to not go paperless -- well, then, so be it. No need to forward 1099s with online tax filing. 

 

I can deal with this new world ok. Just worried when I'm gone, the wife -- if more such speed bumps come our way -- will cause problems. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, JimGant said:

My passport info was fine. But my US drivers license expired years ago, so I couldn't use it. And, they want two documents with full Social Security numbers shown -- heck, all my pay statements, 1099s, etc have truncated SSNs, due to security -- so none of them passed the ID Me screening test.

I downloaded my 2024 SSA-1099 and keep the PDF for reference.  That form has my full SS number on it.  I wonder if ID.me accept that as proof.

 

Like you I had mySSA done before leaving USA and when they announced the loginID/password option was disappearing I switched my online account to ID.me and my wife's to login.gov.... I like the login.gov method better.

On 4/15/2025 at 12:15 AM, sqwakvfr said:

it does not seem easy at all. I applied online for SS retirement at 62 almost 2 months ago. The only thing I know is "a representative in Manila started reviewing your application".  The SS website indicates the review will take 30 days to complete but that was 30 days ago. I have sent emails but so far no response.  Hopefully things will improve  by next year. 

 

I used a Thailand address so I don't know if the process is better if one uses a US address.

i submitted my SSA benefit start application on July 3 here in the USA. I am 68 and decided to start the benefits even if I still take on some short term engineering contracts.  I too get a similar message as of today about it is being reviewed (somebody in Alabama) and takes 30 days typically.  I am all in the USA, bank, etc.  so can't speak about the manilla interaction and defer to those that have dealt with that.  As for the taxation by Thailand thing... I am waiting to see how that shakes out for USA expats before I make any long over 180 day stays in Thailand which was always my plan to do since my first visit back in 2004.  If worse comes to worse, spending 1/2 a year in Thailand gong forward is OK too.