2025 SSA Form 7162 - "Hello, are you dead yet?" forms.

[ricklev]

I started receiving my SS in October of 2024 after applying through Manilla.  Anybody know if this form something I should be looking for or worrying about? 

[KhunLA]

7 minutes ago, ricklev said:

I started receiving my SS in October of 2024 after applying through Manilla.  Anybody know if this form something I should be looking for or worrying about? 

If your address is registered in Thailand, then you will need to file the form, when it arrives.  Maybe soon, or maybe in October, maybe.  But if you don't get one by October, then I would download one, and mail it in.

 

I actually mail in 2, about a week to 10 days apart.  Snail mail is fine.

 

It's a yearly thing, for those with registered living address with Soc Sec, outside of USA

[PeterA]

What with mail service to Phimai from Bangkok as it is, I expect this years notices to arrive late next year, if at all.  All at one time. 

[PeterA]

9 minutes ago, ricklev said:

I started receiving my SS in October of 2024 after applying through Manilla.  Anybody know if this form something I should be looking for or worrying about? 

If you don't send it in, they will stop payments by January. Then expect a few  months with no payments as you sort it out. 

[KhunLA]

3 minutes ago, PeterA said:

If you don't send it in, they will stop payments by January. Then expect a few  months with no payments as you sort it out. 

@ricklev Above ... Not exactly accurate.  They will send a notice, with form, I think, stating they have not received your form 7162.  With warning, if not received but such & such date, then you get another warning, stating your SS will be stopped, at such & such date, until filing 7162.

 

I know this, as I got the warning once, and why I send back multiple copies every year.   They did have an issue at Wilkes Barre PO, as a scam going on, and 7162 forms disappearing.  That was supposedly sorted out.

 

You can download and send a copy, anytime you like.  No need to wait for one to arrive.

[connda]

3 hours ago, ricklev said:

I started receiving my SS in October of 2024 after applying through Manilla.  Anybody know if this form something I should be looking for or worrying about? 

Yep!

[connda]

3 hours ago, PeterA said:

What with mail service to Phimai from Bangkok as it is, I expect this years notices to arrive late next year, if at all.  All at one time. 

Very honestly.  Mail transiting from the US through Suvarnabhumi and then to Lamphun takes less than 48 hours with mail that I've traced.  Same with traceable mail that I send to the US from Lamphun.  Thai Post is extremely efficient.  When I track mail, the problems are ALWAYS with USPS.  USPS: Slow, slower, and snail-slow.

But?  You're out there in Isaan, so maybe it is different.  

[connda]

3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

You can download and send a copy, anytime you like.  No need to wait for one to arrive.

Fyi - you can download a copy from SSA. If you don't get one by November, I'd fill a couple of these out and send them.

https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/ssa7162ocrsm.pdf

 

FYI - this PDF does not include form boxes to input your name, address, and SSN.  You'll have to write those in by hand.

Example: (obviously for those folks in Mexico who only have to do this every two years)

3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I know this, as I got the warning once, and why I send back multiple copies every year. 

Yeah, and if nothing shows up by November, they'll get multiple copies.  

 

[bamnutsak]

7 hours ago, connda said:

Example: (obviously for those folks in Mexico who only have to do this every two years)

 

For those 2-year countries, year 1 is SSN ending in 00 - 49, year 2 is SSN ending in 50-99, then repeat.

 

Maybe someone forgot to toggle the one-year switch for the annual countries like Thailand?

 

Or someone decided to switch everyone to two years to save money?

 

I haven't seen anything concrete re: this year's lateness in the occasional search. And nothing on the SSA blog.

 

 

 

 

[mudcat]

Nothing from SSA as of yet - last year my SSA-7162 was dated on June 6, 2024 on the form I received.  I completed and mailed it on June 22nd, 2024 - I assume it was received a few days prior to the 22nd.

 

For those who wish to be prepared should their 'personalized' form not show up from either the June or November (last chance) mailing you may wish to download, complete, and mail it. I suggest that you include an earlier form with your bar code and QR Code to make sure that it gets processed in this decade.

 

The SSA site I use for foreigner forms is:  https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/  has the current (2023)  forms (SSA-7162 for recipients and SSA-7161 for representative payees)  and instructions including mailing addresses.

 

I have explained to my wife the importance of completing this form for me and later for herself once I have died or survive to her turning 62-years old.  I also explained that she can sign for me (I think it would be best to use a fingerprint rather than a 'X' if I can at least nod my head or blink my eyes in agreement as getting appointed as my representative payee (she is my designated representative payee) should be reserved for really dire situations as SSA-787 (Medical source of opinion of patients capability to manage benefits) makes clear:

 

WHO NEEDS A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE (From SSA-787 Medical Opinion of Capability.pdf)

Some individuals … who have mental or physical impairments are not capable of managing their SSA benefits or directing others to manage them to meet their basic needs, so we select a representative payee to receive their benefits on their behalf.  …. However, a person’s need for some assistance with financial tasks such as bill paying, etc. does not mean he or she cannot make decisions concerning basic needs and is incapable of managing his or her own benefits.  If the individual is able to direct the management of his or her own benefits, then we will consider the individual capable.

 

 

[MJoe]

Y-All,  Do you think one of us should call SSA International in Baltimore (anonymously) and ask them what is going on with the 7162 in 2025?

[bamnutsak]

53 minutes ago, MJoe said:

Y-All,  Do you think one of us should call SSA International in Baltimore (anonymously) and ask them what is going on with the 7162 in 2025?

 

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