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

[MJoe]

On 7/5/2025 at 2:19 PM, cusanus said:

It's certainly an uneasy feeling knowing SSA was supposed to mail the 7162 in early June after Musk and Rump laid off thousands of workers and totally gummed up SS offices throughout the country. Certainly an explanation of the late forms would be given if the late mailing was an honest mistake, but you won't find one. Of course the intention is to stop payments to as many SS recipients as possible, and they'll be looking for ways to stall benefits to expats and destroy the system. I think it not advisable to just stew about it, so I scanned a copy of last year's form (to preserve the barcode) and blanked out the old signature and date, printed, signed and dated for myself and two friends and sent those yesterday to Wilkes-Barre common mail. In a month I'll email Manilla and ask if it was received and attach a scanned copy of the signed forms. Usually, they will confirm it was received and have previously accepted scanned copies and marked them received w/o further ado. Well, we'll see now. If they haven't gotten recorded by October, rinse and repeat. 

I am also going to scan a copy of my form from last year (that has the bar code) and send it to Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

 

What did you do about the printed date at the top of page 1 that says Jun 06, 2004?  Did you change that printed date to 2025?  Or did you just leave it alone?  Also, did you write any further explanation on the form?  Or did you leave everything “as is” and just change the date of signing at the bottom of page 2?
 

Thanks in advance for your help!

[jimgilly]

What is wrong with you paranoid wussies?  If no one is getting the form then it's not being sent out and why would anyone complicate the matter by sending in a form that wasn't sent to them to be returned?  If you're so worried about this form then you should probably go back to the US and join the rest of the sheeple still there so you won't have to deal with this again. 

 

Seriously, if this was just a case of one or two not receiving the damn form, then those are the ones that need to be concerned.  However, if you're still getting your funds, then stop with the drama.  Nine pages on this topic is pure BS so grow a pair and get on with your life.  The world may in fact be coming to an end but not because the SSA did not send you your 7172.

[cusanus]

13 minutes ago, MJoe said:

I am also going to scan a copy of my form from last year (that has the bar code) and send it to Wilkes-Barre on Monday.

 

What did you do about the printed date at the top of page 1 that says Jun 06, 2004?  Did you change that printed date to 2025?  Or did you just leave it alone?  Also, did you write any further explanation on the form?  Or did you leave everything “as is” and just change the date of signing at the bottom of page 2?
 

Thanks in advance for your help!

I used Photoshop to white out Jun 6, 2024 and put in 2025. You could have printed and used whiteout to do the same. Also erased date and signature on 2nd page, printed and signed/dated for 2025. In remarks I mentioned that the form did not arrive as expected. 

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, cusanus said:

I used Photoshop to white out Jun 6, 2024 and put in 2025. You could have printed and used whiteout to do the same. Also erased date and signature on 2nd page, printed and signed/dated for 2025. In remarks I mentioned that the form did not arrive as expected. 

I think that's a bad idea. Very dodgy. Altering a government form. The legit thing to do would be to cross out what you think should be changed, put in your change, and put your signature initials in each place you do that.

[cusanus]

17 minutes ago, jimgilly said:

What is wrong with you paranoid wussies?  If no one is getting the form then it's not being sent out and why would anyone complicate the matter by sending in a form that wasn't sent to them to be returned?  If you're so worried about this form then you should probably go back to the US and join the rest of the sheeple still there so you won't have to deal with this again. 

 

Seriously, if this was just a case of one or two not receiving the damn form, then those are the ones that need to be concerned.  However, if you're still getting your funds, then stop with the drama.  Nine pages on this topic is pure BS so grow a pair and get on with your life.  The world may in fact be coming to an end but not because the SSA did not send you your 7172.

Different strokes for different folks. I'm not paranoid, just have a lot of time on my hands and want the gummint to know for sure I'm not dead yet. Just kick back and wait it out if that makes you feel good.  

[Jingthing]

16 minutes ago, jimgilly said:

What is wrong with you paranoid wussies?  If no one is getting the form then it's not being sent out and why would anyone complicate the matter by sending in a form that wasn't sent to them to be returned?  If you're so worried about this form then you should probably go back to the US and join the rest of the sheeple still there so you won't have to deal with this again. 

 

Seriously, if this was just a case of one or two not receiving the damn form, then those are the ones that need to be concerned.  However, if you're still getting your funds, then stop with the drama.  Nine pages on this topic is pure BS so grow a pair and get on with your life.  The world may in fact be coming to an end but not because the SSA did not send you your 7172.

Yes and no.

Nobody would be cut off now about this. 

Cutoffs would happen next year.

But I agree with you as we know this hasn't been sent to expats anywhere in the world and we know they are saying it is delayed, it's totally jumping the gun to take ANY action at this point. 

[Pib]

30 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I think that's a bad idea. Very dodgy. Altering a government form. The legit thing to do would be to cross out what you think should be changed, put in your change, and put your signature initials in each place you do that.

Yeap....totally agree.   When I scan the bar code on my 2024 bar code 7162 I could see numbering/lettering showing it was for 2024. 

 

I would think sending back an old (previous year)  and/or altered bar coded 7162 is just begging to be flagged and/or rejected by a human or scanning machine. 

 

Best to download and complete a manual 7162 and maybe attach a short, separate memo saying you had not received the bar-coded 7162 as of X-date and concerned it's probably lost in the in the mail so you are submitting the manual 7162.   That's my plan the first week of August if the bar-coded 7162 don't arrive by then....and if the bar-coded 7162 arrives later I'll complete and send it back also....complete and send back anything they send you although it "might" no longer be needed....mail passing in the night so to speak....just play it safe.   

 

Many govt agencies are in turmoil this year although their leadership don't want to talk (admit) any negative statistics caused by leadership change, reduction in force, firings, DOGE impacts, court challenges, etc.  

[cusanus]

1 hour ago, Pib said:

Yeap....totally agree.   When I scan the bar code on my 2024 bar code 7162 I could see numbering/lettering showing it was for 2024. 

 

I would think sending back an old (previous year)  and/or altered bar coded 7162 is just begging to be flagged and/or rejected by a human or scanning machine. 

 

Best to download and complete a manual 7162 and maybe attach a short, separate memo saying you had not received the bar-coded 7162 as of X-date and concerned it's probably lost in the in the mail so you are submitting the manual 7162.   That's my plan the first week of August if the bar-coded 7162 don't arrive by then....and if the bar-coded 7162 arrives later I'll complete and send it back also....complete and send back anything they send you although it "might" no longer be needed....mail passing in the night so to speak....just play it safe.   

 

Many govt agencies are in turmoil this year although their leadership don't want to talk (admit) any negative statistics caused by leadership change, reduction in force, firings, DOGE impacts, court challenges, etc.  

I've done it several times for myself and others and it was always accepted when for some reason the mail didn't come through. I add a remark to that effect in the comment box. There is other data on the form besides the barcode. Ok, I logged into Hellofax.com and tried to send 2025 as fax. Since it's still sending eight minutes later it's safe to say the fax number for SSA 7162 forms no longer works. 

[ThreeCardMonte]

10 hours ago, jeffandgop said:

What a ridiculous comment. I don’t have any address in the US anymore and haven’t had one for many years.  There’s nothing to “maintain”. What isn’t hard is for the SSA to automate the reporting requirements so individuals can log into their private SSA account and report 

Open one of many digital mailboxe services.  
 

Many expats do.  It’s going to cost you a few bucks every year or month.

 

Part of the price of being and expat unless one is so cheap to maintain one.

 

Eliminates the address issue.

[Jingthing]

According to SS rules, if you're living abroad, you're required to report your current  address just as if you moved in the U.S.

Faking not being an expat to avoid the form is a type of fraud.

SS given their weirdness at this time, could start going after such people aggressively at any time.

In my view, letter or no letter, it's more sensible to be honest with U.S. government agencies.

Up to you though. 

[dingdongrb]

21 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Where the fudge are the flippin' letters?

If they were up your a$$ you would know!

[cusanus]

Yes, you're living abroad means you're duty bound to report that address. ANYWAY, one thing I didn't like about the blank form is you only get four lines to type your address in the upper box which really isn't enough. You can make it work, BUT, the newest PDF is revised 2023 and since it says clearly "Discontinue Prior Editions" it could be a violation to use them. This one, however, is also fill in only and as you might guess already, you get TWO lines of fixed font text. With your name, It's entirely impossible to fit the address into that box and impossible to write in using the edit text feature with a PDF editor. Photoshop would work but you have to make the font pretty small. Here's the form: https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/ssa7162ocrsm.pdf. You tell me. I tried to flush out a 2023 from a different source but they were all prior revisions. Well, that's the gummint's bureaucracy for you. I guess you should be safe using the 2021 revision if you're not the paranoid type, but I think it would be better to just print the blank and use a black pen to fill in the information. It doesn't say you can't use the lower space or use a black pen. Do NOT forget to put in your SSN under the telephone box, and it helps to pen in the BNC, BIC and COC. Or just have faith and wait until the form comes, we all know the gummint is here to help us and if your check doesn't come it's for sure in the mail. Oh, yeah, you could also print and scan back the 2023 revision and then use either Acrobat or Foxit to add text. Have fun, boys, see ya tamale. 

[Thailand J]

I assume the new form is coming soon.

Too soon to go to Plan B.

[cusanus]

7 hours ago, Thailand J said:

I assume the new form is coming soon.

Too soon to go to Plan B.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR4rrlLKaK5Mi-52EoDTcbx4n9tDxjpDzwnhQ&s

Assume... makes and Ass of u and me. 🙂 But I wager you're right. 

[EVENKEEL]

12 hours ago, KhunLA said:

No scam, their SS authorized doc examined me (much to my lawyers dismay), and when all info and testimony given, (2nd appeal), judge said he'd make a ruling in 3 - 6 months, as SS doc hadn't given his report in yet.   I got a check for 2 yrs of full disability payment (minus 6 months unemployment), within 6 weeks.    So guessing he was pretty convinced and agreed with SS doc and my doc, I was F'd up, and couldn't work.

 

Why 2 yrs of payments ?  I filed on the insistence of my brother, after 1 yr of not bothering, and actually wasn't going to.   He pointed out I was an idiot, and I had to agree.  So filed and jumped through a couple hoops.  Approved April 2003, disability started March 2001 @ 46 yrs old (born Dec 1954).

 

Living in TH since Sept/Oct 2000, married already and house built, and commuted to work, (MEM airport) till March 2001.  I didn't file, because I didn't need the money, as retirement was already planned.  Actually not for another year or so, but threw my back out for the last time, and got to retire about 1 year earlier than planned.

 

Think that fills in all the blanks.  Anything else ?

So, you're not 86.

[MJoe]

10 hours ago, cusanus said:

Yes, you're living abroad means you're duty bound to report that address. ANYWAY, one thing I didn't like about the blank form is you only get four lines to type your address in the upper box which really isn't enough. You can make it work, BUT, the newest PDF is revised 2023 and since it says clearly "Discontinue Prior Editions" it could be a violation to use them. This one, however, is also fill in only and as you might guess already, you get TWO lines of fixed font text. With your name, It's entirely impossible to fit the address into that box and impossible to write in using the edit text feature with a PDF editor. Photoshop would work but you have to make the font pretty small. Here's the form: https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/ssa7162ocrsm.pdf. You tell me. I tried to flush out a 2023 from a different source but they were all prior revisions. Well, that's the gummint's bureaucracy for you. I guess you should be safe using the 2021 revision if you're not the paranoid type, but I think it would be better to just print the blank and use a black pen to fill in the information. It doesn't say you can't use the lower space or use a black pen. Do NOT forget to put in your SSN under the telephone box, and it helps to pen in the BNC, BIC and COC. Or just have faith and wait until the form comes, we all know the gummint is here to help us and if your check doesn't come it's for sure in the mail. Oh, yeah, you could also print and scan back the 2023 revision and then use either Acrobat or Foxit to add text. Have fun, boys, see ya tamale. 

I am getting an error message when I click on that link. Is this the only source to print a blank 2023 form?

[KhunLA]

2 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

So, you're not 86.

Not yet.   Can't imagine being that old.  Cousin passed last year, @ 84, but he was the exception in the blood line.  My brother is the oldest so far.   

 

Another 10 years, and 80 would be nice.   I'm impressed with making it pass 30 

 

Another 10 yrs of mailing that 7162 in and Thai Imm, oh joy.  If I knew I'd make to 80, might take a trip to USA for a 1 yr holiday, but really hate to waste the money, just to check out some over crowded Nat. Parks.   Hang out 3 yrs, so wife could get the SS, but she really doesn't need it.   

 

3 yrs would really be a waste of money, and might not even be worth it, considering how long she lives, as knockin' on 50.  Especially if I crap out before 3 yrs or got sick while there.

[cusanus]

5 hours ago, MJoe said:

I am getting an error message when I click on that link. Is this the only source to print a blank 2023 form?

The only one I could find. It works fine in CM without VPN. Try again. https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/ssa7162ocrsm.pdf

[cusanus]

19 hours ago, Pib said:

Yeap....totally agree.   When I scan the bar code on my 2024 bar code 7162 I could see numbering/lettering showing it was for 2024. 

 

I would think sending back an old (previous year)  and/or altered bar coded 7162 is just begging to be flagged and/or rejected by a human or scanning machine. 

 

Best to download and complete a manual 7162 and maybe attach a short, separate memo saying you had not received the bar-coded 7162 as of X-date and concerned it's probably lost in the in the mail so you are submitting the manual 7162.   That's my plan the first week of August if the bar-coded 7162 don't arrive by then....and if the bar-coded 7162 arrives later I'll complete and send it back also....complete and send back anything they send you although it "might" no longer be needed....mail passing in the night so to speak....just play it safe.   

 

Many govt agencies are in turmoil this year although their leadership don't want to talk (admit) any negative statistics caused by leadership change, reduction in force, firings, DOGE impacts, court challenges, etc.  

Interesting, and two of you, because when I use my barcode reader there is no date on mine. The top portion reads 861019X, the bottom is just my SSN followed by 80189 just like prior years. How do you get 2024 out of that? It is NOT altering the code for me. Maybe for you. What reader are you using? 

[John Drake]

29 minutes ago, cusanus said:

Interesting, and two of you, because when I use my barcode reader there is no date on mine. The top portion reads 861019X, the bottom is just my SSN followed by 80189 just like prior years. How do you get 2024 out of that? It is NOT altering the code for me. Maybe for you. What reader are you using? 

 

That's exactly what I get.

[cusanus]

4 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

That's exactly what I get.

Exactly what again? That was the 2nd page barcode. The first page barcode has no date on it, either and again shows the same numbers as prior years. Soooo, maybe try a different barcode reader. My form isn't altered for prior years and shows no date in the barcode. You must be special. 

[John Drake]

Just now, cusanus said:

Exactly what again? That was the 2nd page barcode. The first page barcode has no date on it, either and again shows the same numbers as prior years. Soooo, maybe try a different barcode reader. My form isn't altered for prior years and shows no date in the barcode. You must be special. 

 

Just ssn and 80189. Nothing about any year or date.

[cusanus]

1 minute ago, John Drake said:

 

Just ssn and 80189. Nothing about any year or date.

Oh, yeah, my apology. I thought you meant a date. Thanks. THERE IS NO DATE in the barcode, same stuff every year.

[Galong]

I find the info you guys are supplying interesting, but I think I'll wait a bit more as I am concerned about potentially ending up sending two... one from a blank and then the personalized one when/if it arrives. Sending two could either annoy the workers or flag you.

Will you guys post to the US address or send it to FBU in Manila?  If you're posting, do you use Thai EMS, DHL, or something else?

Thanks in advance for your response. 

[cusanus]

7 minutes ago, Galong said:

I find the info you guys are supplying interesting, but I think I'll wait a bit more as I am concerned about potentially ending up sending two... one from a blank and then the personalized one when/if it arrives. Sending two could either annoy the workers or flag you.

Will you guys post to the US address or send it to FBU in Manila?  If you're posting, do you use Thai EMS, DHL, or something else?

Thanks in advance for your response. 

I always send regular mail and had no problems for 10 years prior to covid. One might assume it's more likely to be ignored if sent courier because it's a PO Box, but I think that makes no difference. Still a waste of money in my opinion. I've sent 2-3 in some years for others when mail was disrupted and am sure nobody bothers to think about that. I prefer using the last barcode because it might facilitate processing, but there's nothing wrong with using the blank IF you get the SSN on there and you can add BIN and COC as well. I wait a few weeks and email Manila to ask if it was received and include a scanned copy which I believe they can use to register the form themselves. I'm sure I am more proactive (paranoid?) simply because I've been helping two friends over the years who have had more than their share of problems while I've never had a missed letter either way, but covid kind of complicated things. So, maybe wait another week or two for the form to arrive and not let me worry you, but if September comes around and there's still no announcement from SS that might be time to act (again). Good luck. 

[Galong]

7 minutes ago, cusanus said:

I always send regular mail and had no problems for 10 years prior to covid. One might assume it's more likely to be ignored if sent courier because it's a PO Box, but I think that makes no difference. Still a waste of money in my opinion. I've sent 2-3 in some years for others when mail was disrupted and am sure nobody bothers to think about that. I prefer using the last barcode because it might facilitate processing, but there's nothing wrong with using the blank IF you get the SSN on there and you can add BIN and COC as well. I wait a few weeks and email Manila to ask if it was received and include a scanned copy which I believe they can use to register the form themselves. I'm sure I am more proactive (paranoid?) simply because I've been helping two friends over the years who have had more than their share of problems while I've never had a missed letter either way, but covid kind of complicated things. So, maybe wait another week or two for the form to arrive and not let me worry you, but if September comes around and there's still no announcement from SS that might be time to act (again). Good luck. 

Thanks, buddy. 🙏  Yeah, I guess I agree with the plan of giving it another week or two then filling out the blank one. Geez, it would be wonderful if they'd let us know what they want. I'm on a SSA Blog which talks about everything except this. I guess we aren't a top priority being such a small percentage of recipients. 

So, the waiting continues... sigh. 😒

[MJoe]

6 hours ago, cusanus said:

The only one I could find. It works fine in CM without VPN. Try again. https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/ssa7162ocrsm.pdf

Thanks so much.  This link works!

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

45 minutes ago, Galong said:

I find the info you guys are supplying interesting, but I think I'll wait a bit more as I am concerned about potentially ending up sending two... one from a blank and then the personalized one when/if it arrives. Sending two could either annoy the workers or flag you.

Will you guys post to the US address or send it to FBU in Manila?  If you're posting, do you use Thai EMS, DHL, or something else?

Thanks in advance for your response. 

 

I just send it regular air mail.

 

I tried sending it registered mail once using the SSA self-addressed envelope and this happened:

 

 

[MJoe]

36 minutes ago, cusanus said:

I always send regular mail and had no problems for 10 years prior to covid. One might assume it's more likely to be ignored if sent courier because it's a PO Box, but I think that makes no difference. Still a waste of money in my opinion. I've sent 2-3 in some years for others when mail was disrupted and am sure nobody bothers to think about that. I prefer using the last barcode because it might facilitate processing, but there's nothing wrong with using the blank IF you get the SSN on there and you can add BIN and COC as well. I wait a few weeks and email Manila to ask if it was received and include a scanned copy which I believe they can use to register the form themselves. I'm sure I am more proactive (paranoid?) simply because I've been helping two friends over the years who have had more than their share of problems while I've never had a missed letter either way, but covid kind of complicated things. So, maybe wait another week or two for the form to arrive and not let me worry you, but if September comes around and there's still no announcement from SS that might be time to act (again). Good luck. 

Thanks for all your super advice.  How do I find the BIN and COC?

[cusanus]

4 minutes ago, MJoe said:

Thanks for all your super advice.  How do I find the BIN and COC?

This stuff is right under your SSN on the last barcode version labeled BNC BIC and COC, sorry not BIN. I don't recall what the BNC stands for or the BIC, but COC means something like center of control, I think for me 929 stands for Chiang Mai. Sometimes if you call SS they want to know this number, so it could be helpful. You can Google it, but not necessary. I ignore the DIBIND 71DES stuff under that, but just look at a copy of last year's form and at least add in the COC.