9 minutes ago, gamb00ler said:

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.

I do the login my ID now also.  I started it here in the USA and it works fine except it sends a second verification to my USA cell phone number.  I plan to keep that number always I guess but that is the only glitch I can foresee if I can't get to that number overseas

1 minute ago, gk10012001 said:

I do the login my ID now also.  I started it here in the USA and it works fine except it sends a second verification to my USA cell phone number.  I plan to keep that number always I guess but that is the only glitch I can foresee if I can't get to that number overseas

My advice is to get an UltraMobile PayGo sim card and initialize it before you leave USA.  You buy the sim on eBay, put it in a phone while you're in US so it can connect to the mobile network.  It will cost you about $3.10 per month and all US financial institutions will accept it for 2FA authorization, etc.  If you only use it on WiFi while in Thailand you get 100 SMS and 100 minutes to US numbers each month without further charges.

 

Or... you can use Google Voice.  Over WiFi, GV will give you free inbound calls and free outbound calls to USA/Canada.  Most US financial institutions will accept GV but over the years a few have changed policy and no longer do.

 

There's a detailed and lengthy thread on having/keeping a US number while in Thailand.

 

https://www.ultramobile.com/paygo/

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285112988423

 

 

11 hours ago, gamb00ler said:

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.

 

IDMe: Use your passport, SS card, Thai bank statement with address.

10 hours ago, gamb00ler said:

My advice is to get an UltraMobile PayGo sim card and initialize it before you leave USA.  You buy the sim on eBay, put it in a phone while you're in US so it can connect to the mobile network.  It will cost you about $3.10 per month and all US financial institutions will accept it for 2FA authorization, etc.  If you only use it on WiFi while in Thailand you get 100 SMS and 100 minutes to US numbers each month without further charges.

 

Or... you can use Google Voice.  Over WiFi, GV will give you free inbound calls and free outbound calls to USA/Canada.  Most US financial institutions will accept GV but over the years a few have changed policy and no longer do.

 

There's a detailed and lengthy thread on having/keeping a US number while in Thailand.

 

https://www.ultramobile.com/paygo/

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/285112988423

 

 

 

How do you top this up in Thailand and States?

 

Is eBay only option?

 

*I hate ebay and don't have acct. I hate PayPal more

12 hours ago, JimGant said:

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The requirements are a bit different for in/outside the US. As I posted earlier I was able to obtain the IDme log on with passport, social security card and local bank statement with the address here

 

I pondered about using the address in the United States but was unable to come up with the bills with addresses to do so. Moreover, I don't live there, never have any plans to live there and I have no idea how long I will be able to maintain the mailing address there. I'm not going to lose it tomorrow but my friends marriage is rocky. Therefore, I must suck it up and fill out the I'm still alive form annually.

 

I am still in quandary as to whether they should send the payments to us or Thai bank accounts. I'm leaning to the US because then I can take advantage of the better exchange rates when they avail themselves. Probably pay far less in transfer fees as well.

A little bit of progress in my retirement application at 62 for SSA benefits:

1. Submitted an online applicatioin on Feb 7.

2. Got an email from Manila FBU on May 21 that my phone call will be on July 21

3. Had the phone call on July 21. It was about 5 minutes and just a review of the application. 

4. Now "your application will be sent to the United States".  Don't know what this means but at least it is some progress. 

 

I just might see a payment sometime this year. If this reflects the current state of SSA then I made the right decision to apply at the earliest age rather than wait.  Who knows what SSA will be like next year.