August 2nd - obviously no one has received their SSA-7126 yet? Again - we're all in the same boat. 

6 hours ago, dingdongrb said:

If I recall somewhere (maybe the form, not sure) it's states not to use a courier service. 

 

And as Pib (I believe) posted back to me once, tracking doesn't work. That was exactly true for me last year as I sent it normal mail through Thai post with tracking and the tracking stopped at incoming International mail at JFK.

I've used EMS with tracking for the last 4 years and never had an issue.  I don't see why they would disapprove of tracking. 🤷‍♂️ 

27 minutes ago, Galong said:

I've used EMS with tracking for the last 4 years and never had an issue.  I don't see why they would disapprove of tracking. 🤷‍♂️ 

It's "registered" mail that often fails to track because once it enters the US it's typically treated as standard 1st Class mail (vs registered mail) and scans routinely do not occur since it's now being treated as standard 1st class mail.....all too often the last scan will be at the US port of entry.    Additionally, registered airmail will typically take 2 or even 3 times longer to reach it's destination due to the extra security involved in handling/processing registered mail as compared standard air mail.

 

Now with EMS you are paying a ton of money, it's treated differently and the tracking  is much better.  However, there have been numerous posts over the years where EMS was not tracked all the way to Wilkes Barre....it seemed to go MIA after the US port of entry.      

 

 

 

 

This is starting to feel like Waiting for Godot.

 

Worrying about tracking details for returning a letter that:

 

-- hasn't been sent to anyone on earth

-- no reliable information on when it will be sent

-- no full assurance it will ever be sent

 

 

7 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

This is starting to feel like Waiting for Godot.

 

Worrying about tracking details for returning a letter that:

 

-- hasn't been sent to anyone on earth

-- no reliable information on when it will be sent

-- no full assurance it will ever be sent

 

 

100%. Why are we talking about mail delivery options for a form which hasn’t been sent, and in my opinion is not going to be sent at all.

5 minutes ago, Pib said:

It's "registered" mail that often fails to track because once it enters the US it's typically treated as standard 1st Class mail (vs registered mail) and scans routinely do not occur since it's now being treated a standard 1st class mail.....all too often the last scan will be at the US port of entry.    Additionally, registered airmail will typically take 2 or even 3 times longer to reach it's destination due to the extra security involved in handling/processing registered mail as compared standard air mail. Now with EMS you are paying a ton of money, it's treated differently and the tracking  is much better.  However, there have been numerous posts over the years where EMS was not tracked all the way to Wilkes Barre....it seemed to go MIA after the US port of entry.      

Since 2010 I've returned every 7162 form by ordinary 1st class air (about 60 baht I think) and never was it not received within two weeks. I sent a letter to my daughter early this year with tracking (not EMS) and it took three months by which time we assumed it was lost. Tracking stopped at the port of entry and nothing after that. Courier does not fail because Wilkes-Barre is a PO box on the return envelope, but it seems to have problems sometimes. This is the first year I've sent a barcode form (July 4) and not been able to confirm receipt by phone or email three weeks later, but of course it wasn't the original form and the system is obviously somewhat broken this year. The US rep thought it should have been there and spent a long time checking this and that, but then she didn't know the forms were not sent yet this year. 

1 minute ago, MJoe said:

100%. Why are we talking about mail delivery options for a form which hasn’t been sent, and in my opinion is not going to be sent at all.

I still feel it will eventually be sent this year.

Perhaps they'll just skip the first mailing and do the second.

If they were really smart they would totally change the way it is done to some kind of online scheme.

For example, initial registration for ID verification.

Then do it online like the FBAR or by zoom call or something else.

Covered by some kind of non-online backup for rarer cases.

There are already so many problems internationally for people who live in countries with either no postal service or very unreliable.

Here is some results of some test mailings I did between Bangkok and Houston in 2019 using "registered" airmail and "regular" airmail.    I've also done test mailings between Bangkok and LA....basically the same results as mailing to Houston.   Regular airmail was much faster than registered airmail....and registered airmail often did not show final delivery although it was indeed delivered.

 

 

I've always sent the 7162 EMS/tracking and it hasn't failed. I think we can safely assume that SS, despite DOGE, understands that retirees are going to try and send something that secures their lifeline in the safest manner they think possible. So I don't buy the notion that, oh, there might be no one to sign for the mail so it will go missing, just send ordinary.

4 hours ago, Autocan said:

I've always sent the 7162 EMS/tracking and it hasn't failed. I think we can safely assume that SS, despite DOGE, understands that retirees are going to try and send something that secures their lifeline in the safest manner they think possible. So I don't buy the notion that, oh, there might be no one to sign for the mail so it will go missing, just send ordinary.

Good for you. I've sent every 7162 ordinary air mail since 2010 and it never failed to arrive within two weeks. In fact, any ordinary mail I've sent or received in the last 20 years has not failed to find its destination within two weeks. The one with tracking I sent my daughter in January took three months. 

No intent to stoke panic, but the January 2025 SSA announcements make plain the forms will be sent in May/June. https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0302655010
Of course, it is no coincidence that DOGE overturned the normal operation of SSA. That isn't a concern so much as the failure of SSA to put forth an explanation of why the forms are late and when they might be expected, or why no agents are either aware of them being late or able to give formal proof of when they will be sent. I hope they will arrive before December because it becomes more likely they won't be received in time to avoid suspension. Of course, no rational person would expect they will suspend payments if the forms were never mailed, but then no rational person would believe the forms would fail to arrive, so some will assume otherwise and an avalanche of blank forms will be incoming January 2026. So much for making government more efficient. 

 

 

17 hours ago, dingdongrb said:

It appears that with as many folks worrying and complaining nobody took a trip to listen to or express their concerns to the Manila FBU when they were recently in CM.

 

.....And yet some claim to actually live in CM or nearby (Lamphun).

 

Too friggin funny.

 

You just can't make this chit up.

 

TIT

....and it appears not a single person took the opportunity to meet with the FBU... LOL

Manila FBU is a dark hole ababdoned isolated closet blesed with >80,000 per year expense acounts and a salary paid by your FICA paid benefits taxes. SSA.GOV has no top down tranparebt, accountable, individual employee training to follow up your sensitive paper audit

trail. SA Internatiobal is out of control has no comunication resources to service USA citizens

living in foreign countries and continue ignore  active certified USA State Department verified

passport foreign covernment monitored verified USA citizen baml account prof of dead or alive.

 

It was a fool proof system before 2017 to contact and verify USA dead or alive at USA Embassy

around the world and pickup SSA.GOV benefits using your USA updated passport  before one

parasite self elected hustler decided to close down and ignore global USA State Department

Spcial Security customer services conducted at al American Citizen  Services located inside

every USA State Department Global Embassy

 

Instead of foaming in the mouth why not clas action promote proof of alive or dead pnce

a year at your local country retirement since your local country USA Embasy us responsible

for you as a USA citizen and already.  It is a pig head rhino parasite protecting high SSA paid

salary that blocks simple cost effective dead or alive paper compounded labor chasing .

 

It is the USA State Department Embassy to asisy USA citizen birth and report dead from a foreign country at the A,erican Citizens Services WINDOW also file taxes, help medical issues, local

country litigation legal problem isues, etc, that are not available are refused at Manila   

 

The local American Citizens Services should me restored and paid by SSA.GOV to insure the

in person verification and passport verified USA citizen data delivery to the SA.GOV beehive

 

Start a class action message delivery to the SSA.GOV International black hole operaations management wake up the old goats      

17 minutes ago, exant said:

Manila FBU is a dark hole ababdoned isolated closet blesed with >80,000 per year expense acounts and a salary paid by your FICA paid benefits taxes. SSA.GOV has no top down tranparebt, accountable, individual employee training to follow up your sensitive paper audit

trail. SA Internatiobal is out of control has no comunication resources to service USA citizens

living in foreign countries and continue ignore  active certified USA State Department verified

passport foreign covernment monitored verified USA citizen baml account prof of dead or alive.

 

It was a fool proof system before 2017 to contact and verify USA dead or alive at USA Embassy

around the world and pickup SSA.GOV benefits using your USA updated passport  before one

parasite self elected hustler decided to close down and ignore global USA State Department

Spcial Security customer services conducted at al American Citizen  Services located inside

every USA State Department Global Embassy

 

Instead of foaming in the mouth why not clas action promote proof of alive or dead pnce

a year at your local country retirement since your local country USA Embasy us responsible

for you as a USA citizen and already.  It is a pig head rhino parasite protecting high SSA paid

salary that blocks simple cost effective dead or alive paper compounded labor chasing .

 

It is the USA State Department Embassy to asisy USA citizen birth and report dead from a foreign country at the A,erican Citizens Services WINDOW also file taxes, help medical issues, local

country litigation legal problem isues, etc, that are not available are refused at Manila   

 

The local American Citizens Services should me restored and paid by SSA.GOV to insure the

in person verification and passport verified USA citizen data delivery to the SA.GOV beehive

 

Start a class action message delivery to the SSA.GOV International black hole operaations management wake up the old goats      

Damn....ramble on much?

Google: why are forms 7162 2025 not mailed 2025 ssa

Social Security Administration (SSA) forms SSA-7162 are not mailed out in 2025 because the agency has suspended mailing them, according to the Social Security website. This suspension is due to recent pandemic-related disruptions in mail service. However, this suspension does not affect the receipt of Social Security benefits. 

 

Form SSA-7162, the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire, is typically sent annually to individuals living outside the United States who receive Social Security benefits, to verify their continued eligibility. Despite the suspension of mailings, the SSA still requires individuals to report any changes in their circumstances that could affect their eligibility. 

 

To fulfill this requirement, individuals should contact the SSA directly if they have not received the form and believe they need to complete it. They can also check the SSA website for information and instructions. If the form is required, individuals will need to print, complete, and return it to the SSA. 

I googled again and did not get this same text. It's AI generated so I'm not sure it's correct. Then I got the duckduck go answer: 
 

Forms SSA-7162 are not mailed in 2025 due to ongoing postal service disruptions and changes in the Social Security Administration's processes. Beneficiaries living abroad are required to complete this form annually to verify their eligibility for benefits, but the SSA has adapted its mailing practices in response to these challenges.https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/www.americansabroad.org.ico americansabroad.orghttps://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/www.ssa.gov.ico Social Security Administration

 

Mailing of Form SSA-7162 in 2025

Overview of Form SSA-7162

Form SSA-7162, also known as the "proof of life" form, is required for individuals receiving Social Security benefits while living abroad. This form is essential for verifying continued eligibility for benefits.

Mailing Status in 2025

In 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is not mailing Form SSA-7162 to beneficiaries living outside the United States. This decision is part of ongoing efforts to streamline processes and adapt to changes in service delivery.

Reasons for Non-Mailing

• Digital Transition: The SSA is increasingly moving towards online services, encouraging beneficiaries to manage their accounts digitally.

• Environmental Considerations: Reducing paper usage aligns with sustainability goals.

• Efficiency Improvements: Online management reduces delays associated with postal services, especially for international mail.

What Beneficiaries Should Do

Beneficiaries who do not receive Form SSA-7162 should ensure their contact information is up to date with the SSA. If you suspect an issue or have not received the form, it is advisable to contact the SSA or your local U.S. embassy for assistance.

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/www.americansabroad.org.ico americansabroad.orghttps://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/mexicorelocationguide.com.ico mexicorelocationguide.com

Garbage in garbage out.

The pandemic?

Clear as mud.

41 minutes ago, cusanus said:

Google: why are forms 7162 2025 not mailed 2025 ssa

Social Security Administration (SSA) forms SSA-7162 are not mailed out in 2025 because the agency has suspended mailing them, according to the Social Security website. This suspension is due to recent pandemic-related disruptions in mail service. However, this suspension does not affect the receipt of Social Security benefits. 

 

Form SSA-7162, the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire, is typically sent annually to individuals living outside the United States who receive Social Security benefits, to verify their continued eligibility. Despite the suspension of mailings, the SSA still requires individuals to report any changes in their circumstances that could affect their eligibility. 

 

To fulfill this requirement, individuals should contact the SSA directly if they have not received the form and believe they need to complete it. They can also check the SSA website for information and instructions. If the form is required, individuals will need to print, complete, and return it to the SSA. 

I googled again and did not get this same text. It's AI generated so I'm not sure it's correct. Then I got the duckduck go answer: 
 

Forms SSA-7162 are not mailed in 2025 due to ongoing postal service disruptions and changes in the Social Security Administration's processes. Beneficiaries living abroad are required to complete this form annually to verify their eligibility for benefits, but the SSA has adapted its mailing practices in response to these challenges.https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/www.americansabroad.org.ico americansabroad.orghttps://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/www.ssa.gov.ico Social Security Administration

 

Mailing of Form SSA-7162 in 2025

Overview of Form SSA-7162

Form SSA-7162, also known as the "proof of life" form, is required for individuals receiving Social Security benefits while living abroad. This form is essential for verifying continued eligibility for benefits.

Mailing Status in 2025

In 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is not mailing Form SSA-7162 to beneficiaries living outside the United States. This decision is part of ongoing efforts to streamline processes and adapt to changes in service delivery.

Reasons for Non-Mailing

• Digital Transition: The SSA is increasingly moving towards online services, encouraging beneficiaries to manage their accounts digitally.

• Environmental Considerations: Reducing paper usage aligns with sustainability goals.

• Efficiency Improvements: Online management reduces delays associated with postal services, especially for international mail.

What Beneficiaries Should Do

Beneficiaries who do not receive Form SSA-7162 should ensure their contact information is up to date with the SSA. If you suspect an issue or have not received the form, it is advisable to contact the SSA or your local U.S. embassy for assistance.

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/www.americansabroad.org.ico americansabroad.orghttps://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/mexicorelocationguide.com.ico mexicorelocationguide.com

 

Grok says pretty much the same thing. And tells you to call SSA or download the form.

AI garbage out....mixing stuff from the COVID 2019 pandemic days when mailing disruptions were happening, 7162s not being mailed for a year or two, and making it sound like it's the current day/2025 situation.   

 

But it would not surprise me that SSA does not mail the form for 2025 due to govt disruptions and a month or two from now we may see an official announcement  like at the SSA Int'l Operation website where the same 7162 notice that been in place for a couple of years still states "same-same" as it has for a few years now....see below as of 3 Aug 2025.

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

 

 

 

49 minutes ago, cusanus said:

Google: why are forms 7162 2025 not mailed 2025 ssa

Social Security Administration (SSA) forms SSA-7162 are not mailed out in 2025 because the agency has suspended mailing them, according to the Social Security website. This suspension is due to recent pandemic-related disruptions in mail service. However, this suspension does not affect the receipt of Social Security benefits. 

 

Form SSA-7162, the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire, is typically sent annually to individuals living outside the United States who receive Social Security benefits, to verify their continued eligibility. Despite the suspension of mailings, the SSA still requires individuals to report any changes in their circumstances that could affect their eligibility. 

 

To fulfill this requirement, individuals should contact the SSA directly if they have not received the form and believe they need to complete it. They can also check the SSA website for information and instructions. If the form is required, individuals will need to print, complete, and return it to the SSA. 

I googled again and did not get this same text. It's AI generated so I'm not sure it's correct. Then I got the duckduck go answer: 
 

Forms SSA-7162 are not mailed in 2025 due to ongoing postal service disruptions and changes in the Social Security Administration's processes. Beneficiaries living abroad are required to complete this form annually to verify their eligibility for benefits, but the SSA has adapted its mailing practices in response to these challenges.https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/www.americansabroad.org.ico americansabroad.orghttps://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/www.ssa.gov.ico Social Security Administration

 

Mailing of Form SSA-7162 in 2025

Overview of Form SSA-7162

Form SSA-7162, also known as the "proof of life" form, is required for individuals receiving Social Security benefits while living abroad. This form is essential for verifying continued eligibility for benefits.

Mailing Status in 2025

In 2025, the Social Security Administration (SSA) is not mailing Form SSA-7162 to beneficiaries living outside the United States. This decision is part of ongoing efforts to streamline processes and adapt to changes in service delivery.

Reasons for Non-Mailing

• Digital Transition: The SSA is increasingly moving towards online services, encouraging beneficiaries to manage their accounts digitally.

• Environmental Considerations: Reducing paper usage aligns with sustainability goals.

• Efficiency Improvements: Online management reduces delays associated with postal services, especially for international mail.

What Beneficiaries Should Do

Beneficiaries who do not receive Form SSA-7162 should ensure their contact information is up to date with the SSA. If you suspect an issue or have not received the form, it is advisable to contact the SSA or your local U.S. embassy for assistance.

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/www.americansabroad.org.ico americansabroad.orghttps://external-content.duckduckgo.com/ip3/mexicorelocationguide.com.ico mexicorelocationguide.com

a bit contradictory ...

 

Analysis from Grok about the problem with the mailing of the forms.

 

Evidence Supporting a Possible DOGE Impact

DOGE’s Disruptive Changes to the SSA:

DOGE, under Elon Musk’s leadership until June 2025, implemented significant changes to the SSA, including a 7,000-job workforce reduction (out of ~57,000 employees) and office closures, which strained the agency’s ability to provide services. These cuts reduced senior executives and rank-and-file staff, potentially affecting operations like mailing Form SSA-7162 to expats.

A Washington Post article cited in Brookings notes that DOGE’s pressure led to the departure of dozens of officials with expertise in SSA’s complex benefit and IT systems, causing turmoil in an already stretched agency. This could disrupt processes like generating and mailing forms, especially for international beneficiaries.

The SSA’s reliance on outdated COBOL-based systems, which DOGE’s young engineers reportedly misunderstood, led to misinterpretations of data (e.g., claiming 150-year-olds were receiving benefits due to a coding quirk using a May 20, 1875, reference date). Such misunderstandings could indicate broader mismanagement of SSA systems, potentially affecting form distribution.

DOGE’s Access to SSA Data and Systems:

DOGE accessed non-anonymized SSA data, prompting legal challenges, including a March 20, 2025, court order by Judge Ellen Lipton Hollander to delete such data and restrict DOGE from installing software on SSA systems. This suggests DOGE’s interventions may have disrupted normal operations, possibly including mailing processes.

A Supreme Court ruling in 2025 allowed DOGE access to SSA records for efficiency initiatives, but dissenting justices raised privacy concerns, indicating DOGE’s actions were controversial and could have unintended consequences on operational workflows.

Reported Chaos in SSA Operations:

X posts and web sources describe SSA operations as chaotic under DOGE’s influence, with examples like 90+ minute phone wait times, 50% dropped calls, and a 10% staffing cut. These disruptions could extend to mailing Form SSA-7162, especially for expats, as international mailings require coordination and resources that may have been impacted.

The resignation of Acting SSA Commissioner Michelle King in February 2025, after resisting DOGE’s data requests, and the departure of experienced staff suggest leadership and operational instability, which could explain delays or failures in mailing forms.

The Google answer is obviously not correct, but the DuckDuckGo reply looks perfectly valid and totally reasonable to me. If the same language doesn't show up in an official ssa announcement, I'll send another barcode version and/or blank form in January to be on the safe side.
 

49 minutes ago, cusanus said:

The Google answer is obviously not correct, but the DuckDuckGo reply looks perfectly valid and totally reasonable to me. If the same language doesn't show up in an official ssa announcement, I'll send another barcode version and/or blank form in January to be on the safe side.
 

I'll let y'all know in a month or so, as I sent one (actually 2) off a week or 2 ago.   I'll harrass Manila in a month of so, ask if it was recorded ... if the one doesn't come in the mail by then.

 

As I'll just mail that in, if arrives, instead of bothering Manila, as they have better things to do.

55 minutes ago, cusanus said:

The Google answer is obviously not correct, but the DuckDuckGo reply looks perfectly valid and totally reasonable to me. If the same language doesn't show up in an official ssa announcement, I'll send another barcode version and/or blank form in January to be on the safe side.

 

Even the DuckDickGo AI has conflicting info....it talks reasons for no 7162 mailing in 2025 but then goes on to say "if you do not receive a 7162 you should ensure your contact info with the SSA is correct....contact the SSA....etc....etc...etc."  See partial quote below.

 

A lot of these AI answers often mixes-and-matches multiple sources resulting in a conflicting answers.  Preaching to the choir. 

 

 

 

Yeah if they're not mailing it to ANYONE (which at this point is the case) your address contact info is irrelevant!

14 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

I'll let y'all know in a month or so, as I sent one (actually 2) off a week or 2 ago.   I'll harrass Manila in a month of so, ask if it was recorded ... if the one doesn't come in the mail by then.

 

As I'll just mail that in, if arrives, instead of bothering Manila, as they have better things to do.

Maybe too much optimism about what Manila will be able to tell you if things are totally dysfunctional in the US. 

 

7162's and many other SSA forms/docs are mailed from and returned mailed to the Wilkes Barre Data Operations Center where they are processed.  Early in the year DOGE and GSA placed the Ops Center on a non-core asset list for potential closure/sale...and of course most of it's 1,400 employees being laid off/fired/reassigned. 

 

See below Google AI response and also a news article from the Times-Tribune news paper in Scranton PA for more details.  And with the SSA-wide employee reductions I expect Wilkes Barre has probably been hit hard.

 

 

 

Google AI response....take with a grain of salt.

 

Read below March 2025 news article regarding the Wilkes Barre Operations Center....the place 7162's are mailed from and sent back to.    

 

https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2025/03/09/our-opinion-communities-deserve-better-than-disorganized-handling-of-potential-building-sales

 

 

 

14 minutes ago, Pib said:

 

7162's and many other SSA forms/docs are mailed from and returned mailed to the Wilkes Barre Data Operations Center where they are processed.  Early in the year DOGE and GSA placed the Ops Center on a non-core asset list for potential closure/sale...and of course most of it's 1,400 employees being laid off/fired/reassigned. 

 

See below Google AI response and also a news article from the Times-Tribune news paper in Scranton PA for more details.  And with the SSA-wide employee reductions I expect Wilkes Barre has probably been hit hard.

 

 

 

Google AI response....take with a grain of salt.

 

Read below March 2025 news article regarding the Wilkes Barre Operations Center....the place 7162's are mailed from and sent back to.    

 

https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/2025/03/09/our-opinion-communities-deserve-better-than-disorganized-handling-of-potential-building-sales

 

 

 

That sounds really bad. I knew that they were hit but this is ridiculous. Trust in Doge. Nope. 

17 hours ago, cusanus said:

Good for you. I've sent every 7162 ordinary air mail since 2010 and it never failed to arrive within two weeks. In fact, any ordinary mail I've sent or received in the last 20 years has not failed to find its destination within two weeks. The one with tracking I sent my daughter in January took three months. 

How do you know it arrived in less than two weeks with no tracking number 

.....and yet apparently not a single went and met with the FBU in CM.

 

 

8 hours ago, flexomike said:

How do you know it arrived in less than two weeks with no tracking number 

Because I would be in constant contact with the recipient/sender either through email, website, or USA phone number via magicjack. No need for a tracking number because I would definitely know when it got there and on this end I have a stamp. By the way, do you know that international tracking stops at the port of entry? I used tracking for the 1st time in Jan because I was sending a credit card. No tracking beyond NY customs and 3 months to get there. I sent a second one before it arrived and that one took about six weeks. As for the 7162 forms the times I checked they were confirmed registered by end of the 3rd week. I can't say exactly two weeks and for ten years I didn't bother, but why would these by any different than dozens of ones where I knew the day they arrived. I guess being government forms they might have been a little slower.