August 27, 2025Aug 27 From another AN thread: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the US embassy re: Thai Post Office Dear ..., With the current mailing limitations of Thailand Post, you are able to instead mail the completed and signed SSA-7162 form directly to the Social Security Administration office in Manila, Philippines at the address below. Social Security Administration U.S. Embassy – Manila Attention: FEQ 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila, Philippines 0930 We advise using a trackable courier service (FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc,) so you can check the status of the package instantaneously. Please be advised that the Social Security Administration office does not accept electronic or faxed forms. Please note that this is a temporary procedure only during Thailand Post mailing disruptions. Forms should be mailed to the standard mailing address / PO box once the mailing system resumes service. Regards, American Citizens Services │U.S. Embassy Bangkok 95 Witthayu Road, Lumphini, Bangkok 10330, Thailand 02-205-4000 (Thailand) │+1-202-640-2632 (USA) │ +66-2-205-4000 (International) Website: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/ https://lightmailer.mail.com/inline/1756283629861877282/MGI1ZDUyMjYtNDBmNi00MGU3LTlmNzEtNmVhYTgzOWFjZDc5 SP-RCS
August 27, 2025Aug 27 3 hours ago, dingdongrb said: From another AN thread: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the US embassy re: Thai Post Office Dear ..., With the current mailing limitations of Thailand Post, you are able to instead mail the completed and signed SSA-7162 form directly to the Social Security Administration office in Manila, Philippines at the address below. Social Security Administration U.S. Embassy – Manila Attention: FEQ 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila, Philippines 0930 We advise using a trackable courier service (FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc,) so you can check the status of the package instantaneously. Please be advised that the Social Security Administration office does not accept electronic or faxed forms. Please note that this is a temporary procedure only during Thailand Post mailing disruptions. Forms should be mailed to the standard mailing address / PO box once the mailing system resumes service. Regards, American Citizens Services │U.S. Embassy Bangkok 95 Witthayu Road, Lumphini, Bangkok 10330, Thailand 02-205-4000 (Thailand) │+1-202-640-2632 (USA) │ +66-2-205-4000 (International) Website: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/ https://lightmailer.mail.com/inline/1756283629861877282/MGI1ZDUyMjYtNDBmNi00MGU3LTlmNzEtNmVhYTgzOWFjZDc5 SP-RCS Why would it be better to use a courier service to Manila over a courier service to Wilkes-Barre?
August 28, 2025Aug 28 1 hour ago, Galong said: Am I the only person who still hasn't gotten the form? Looks that way. Did you get one last year?
August 28, 2025Aug 28 27 minutes ago, cusanus said: Looks that way. Did you get one last year? I've been getting benefits for three years and it has always arrived on time. A buddy in Phuket got his on Tuesday, so some might still be on the way. I don't want to assume that I'm the only person not getting one. It would be nice if someone else who hasn't gotten it would verify that they are still waiting too. I just wasted time trying to call the FBU in Manila. That didn't work at all... got cut off as I wasn't asking about a visa, passport or the other items on the limited menu. I sent an email a week ago to the FBU. Now, I'm reading online that it might take 2 to 4 weeks for them to respond to an email. 🤦 I'm at a loss as to what to do. This is beyond frustrating.
August 28, 2025Aug 28 14 minutes ago, Galong said: I've been getting benefits for three years and it has always arrived on time. A buddy in Phuket got his on Tuesday, so some might still be on the way. I think I'll call the US Embassy in BKK and see if they have any suggestions. I'm at a loss as to what to do. This is beyond frustrating. Yeah. I think if it doesn't come by November you can download the blank form and mention in the comment box that you didn't get the form as usual. You can use a courier like Fedex and track it to delivery. That should work. Maybe I'll send my email to Manila sooner than next week. Hopefully, they'll confirm asap.
August 28, 2025Aug 28 11 minutes ago, Galong said: I've been getting benefits for three years and it has always arrived on time. A buddy in Phuket got his on Tuesday, so some might still be on the way. I don't want to assume that I'm the only person not getting one. It would be nice if someone else who hasn't gotten it would verify that they are still waiting too. I just wasted time trying to call the FBU in Manila. That didn't work at all... got cut off as I wasn't asking about a visa, passport or the other items on the limited menu. I sent an email a week ago to the FBU. Now, I'm reading online that it might take 2 to 4 weeks for them to respond to an email. 🤦 I'm at a loss as to what to do. This is beyond frustrating. haven't gotten mine, ( Phuket) this is 2nd time in 20+ years i haven't No big deal, just print one out and send it in emails to Manila always responded within 2-3 days
August 28, 2025Aug 28 12 minutes ago, zzzzz said: haven't gotten mine, ( Phuket) this is 2nd time in 20+ years i haven't No big deal, just print one out and send it in emails to Manila always responded within 2-3 days Thank you very much for responding... It helps a lot to know that it's not 'personal'. 🙏🙏🙏 I did scan last year's form, so I could attach a cover letter that includes the barcode and QR code. I don't know if the folks at the 7162 office read cover letters. It would help them with their scanning machine. FYI, I just called a buddy who retired from working at the US Embassy in BKK. He had a interesting suggestion: send a letter to my Virginia representative and use the words 'time-sensitive emergency' when describing the issue. He also suggested BCCing the FBU. Now, it COULD be that you and I will still get the form. Another friend in Phuket got his on Tuesday. I wonder if there is any leeway if we do get ours and it doesn't get all the way back to the destination in time. One would hope they would extend a grace period given the circumstances. 🤷♂️ Thanks again for your response... MUCH appreciated.
August 28, 2025Aug 28 30 minutes ago, Galong said: Now, it COULD be that you and I will still get the form. Another friend in Phuket got his on Tuesday. I wonder if there is any leeway if we do get ours and it doesn't get all the way back to the destination in time. One would hope they would extend a grace period given the circumstances. 🤷♂️ You have 60 days to complete and sign from the day you receive it, but I'm not sure how soon benefits are suspended if not received in time (deadline?). So, if you don't get it by early November fill in the blank one, send to Wilkes-Barre and attach a signed copy/scan to an email to FBU.Manilla@ssa. I would not use the barcode from last year - it's the same on page 2 but the front page is different and may cause a problem processing.
August 28, 2025Aug 28 16 hours ago, dingdongrb said: From another AN thread: ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From the US embassy re: Thai Post Office Dear ..., With the current mailing limitations of Thailand Post, you are able to instead mail the completed and signed SSA-7162 form directly to the Social Security Administration office in Manila, Philippines at the address below. Social Security Administration U.S. Embassy – Manila Attention: FEQ 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita Manila, Philippines 0930 We advise using a trackable courier service (FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc,) so you can check the status of the package instantaneously. Please be advised that the Social Security Administration office does not accept electronic or faxed forms. Please note that this is a temporary procedure only during Thailand Post mailing disruptions. Forms should be mailed to the standard mailing address / PO box once the mailing system resumes service. Regards, American Citizens Services │U.S. Embassy Bangkok 95 Witthayu Road, Lumphini, Bangkok 10330, Thailand 02-205-4000 (Thailand) │+1-202-640-2632 (USA) │ +66-2-205-4000 (International) Website: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/ https://lightmailer.mail.com/inline/1756283629861877282/MGI1ZDUyMjYtNDBmNi00MGU3LTlmNzEtNmVhYTgzOWFjZDc5 SP-RCS New question about this. It doesn't sound unreasonable to do this even though we don't have confirmation yet from Manila FBU that they are indeed OK with this as a temporary thing. HOWEVER, as I suggested before, it seems silly to spend for DHL, etc. when with the same high price you can DHL to Wilkes-Barre. But they suggest tracking. Thailand Post EPS tracks too, correct? For a much lower price, correct? So why not just send Thai Post with tracking to Manila instead of a courier?
August 28, 2025Aug 28 An update on my post from Aug 24. It looks like my EMS package was delivered. No signature.
August 29, 2025Aug 29 Finally received it, or I should say, finally took it out of the home mail box, as just noticed it in there Dated July 31, and if getting here in timely manner, we weren't home the first week of August anyway. Or the last couple weeks. Also noticed the internet bill, which arrives consistently on 16/17th of the month. So yea, a bit late finding in mail box. Both were pressed up against the door of, and not visible from the top slot. Guessing 7162 arrived before or same time (16/17th) as 7162 was closer to the box door. Using my advance intelligence, since not having key with me, stuck my fingers in top slot and pulled them out. OMG, it's here Will wait a month or 3, and ask Manila if the 2 I sent in last month or so, got 'logged in'. If not, will mail in one or 2 copies, again. If still no mail service to USA, will have brother mail in from USA, as not going to pay what ever silly price UPS charges now of days. Kudos to SS, as finally reading the damn 7162 last year, and changing my address on record to house vs PO Box, after 2 or 3 attempts.
August 29, 2025Aug 29 Bad news. I mailed the form 8 August, so it should have arrived a week or more ago and they had an extra week to process it. Manila hasn't answered the email I sent two days ago asking for confirmation. So, I called 1-800-772-1213 to ask for confirmation. In the past receipt was always confirmed, but this time it was confirmed not processed yet. Disappointing. I'll try again in a week.
August 29, 2025Aug 29 18 minutes ago, cusanus said: Bad news. I mailed the form 8 August, so it should have arrived a week or more ago and they had an extra week to process it. Manila hasn't answered the email I sent two days ago asking for confirmation. So, I called 1-800-772-1213 to ask for confirmation. In the past receipt was always confirmed, but this time it was confirmed not processed yet. Disappointing. I'll try again in a week. The incompetence meter is spinning! I still haven't received my form. 🤦 I emailed FBU more than a week ago asking what the protocol is if I don't receive it. They sent a generic (cut & paste) response that did not address my question. I guess I'll follow-up in Mid-Sept to let them know that even if I get the form, it won't make the cut-off date of Sept 29th. It would be nice to know if and when a second mailing would happen. I'm sure that question will go unanswered. Let us know how your matter pans out... good luck! 🤞
August 29, 2025Aug 29 7 hours ago, KhunLA said: Finally received it, or I should say, finally took it out of the home mail box, as just noticed it in there Dated July 31, and if getting here in timely manner, we weren't home the first week of August anyway. Or the last couple weeks. Also noticed the internet bill, which arrives consistently on 16/17th of the month. So yea, a bit late finding in mail box. Both were pressed up against the door of, and not visible from the top slot. Guessing 7162 arrived before or same time (16/17th) as 7162 was closer to the box door. Using my advance intelligence, since not having key with me, stuck my fingers in top slot and pulled them out. OMG, it's here Will wait a month or 3, and ask Manila if the 2 I sent in last month or so, got 'logged in'. If not, will mail in one or 2 copies, again. If still no mail service to USA, will have brother mail in from USA, as not going to pay what ever silly price UPS charges now of days. Kudos to SS, as finally reading the damn 7162 last year, and changing my address on record to house vs PO Box, after 2 or 3 attempts. The administration needs to work harder to cut people off from SS. I'm sure they have a plan in the works with 3.5 years to go to cut everyone off from "entitlements." I"m in the US, with Thai wife, and can start collecting in a few months. And news of Medicare using AI to ration care. We may be living in a simulation that's gone bonkers.
August 30, 2025Aug 30 5 hours ago, Bohemianfish said: The administration needs to work harder to cut people off from SS. I'm sure they have a plan in the works with 3.5 years to go to cut everyone off from "entitlements." I"m in the US, with Thai wife, and can start collecting in a few months. And news of Medicare using AI to ration care. We may be living in a simulation that's gone bonkers. First, it's NOT an 'entitlement', as myself & employers invested in the fund. That govt mismanaged the fund, as they do everything they seem to touch is why it's in trouble.
August 30, 2025Aug 30 11 hours ago, KhunLA said: First, it's NOT an 'entitlement', as myself & employers invested in the fund. That govt mismanaged the fund, as they do everything they seem to touch is why it's in trouble. There is no fund to mismanage. Social Security is a pay as you go system. Its upcoming shortfall is the result of demographics, and of Congress's failure to adjust Social Security taxes as they have done many times in the past. See this extended report from the Congressional Research Service: https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48557
August 30, 2025Aug 30 Popular Post Some big news today on this topic. A new internal policy change has just come out where the annual form 7162 will not longer be required to be mailed in. Evidently, you can now phone in this information either to any US SSA office or to probably Manila for Thailand expats.
August 31, 2025Aug 31 1 hour ago, keemapoot said: Some big news today on this topic. A new internal policy change has just come out where the annual form 7162 will not longer be required to be mailed in. Evidently, you can now phone in this information either to any US SSA office or to probably Manila for Thailand expats. Looks awfully complicated and may not work after eight minutes, but if anyone has an hour to watch the whole thing, please give your opinion. I don't dare call Manila at this time and just get dumped but In a week will call the 1213 number in the states and ask again if my form has been processed a month after being sent. If not I'll try this guy's phone number idea and see if it works. THANKS for the tip because it just might be what we need.
August 31, 2025Aug 31 Can you still mail the forms to Manila ? What phone number there would we use? The chances of talking to a person are about nil.
August 31, 2025Aug 31 3 minutes ago, Mitkof Island said: Can you still mail the forms to Manila ? What phone number there would we use? The chances of talking to a person are about nil. I used to get good answers via email, gave up on phone, now they don't give straightforward answers if any via email. So, that's a good question. IDK
August 31, 2025Aug 31 Here's the SSA link to the SSA POMS change talked about in the video which adds the 7162 form to the list of forms that can be done via signature poxy interview. But notice at the very end of the change notice it states after the signature proxy attestation interview concludes with whatever SSA office in the world you called an electronic form still ends up being electronically transmitted to Wilkes Barre. https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/reference.nsf/links/08272025080205PM
August 31, 2025Aug 31 On 8/25/2025 at 12:25 PM, Pib said: Street addresses are always the best when using private delivery services like FedEx. The street address for 7162 is widely crossfeed info. But of course the SSA doesn't like to advertise it as it brings to the surface an ugly mailing cost that some folks might have to occur....so, instead SSA just advertises their USPS P.O. box address which they pre-print on the return envelope. https://www.rsokorea.org/ssa-manage.html Where are there FedEx offices in Thailand? I live in Petchabun Province?
August 31, 2025Aug 31 2 minutes ago, Mitkof Island said: Where are there FedEx offices in Thailand? I live in Petchabun Province? Use the FedEx Thailand website to find FedEx locations. https://local.fedex.com/en-th
August 31, 2025Aug 31 1 hour ago, cusanus said: Looks awfully complicated and may not work after eight minutes, but if anyone has an hour to watch the whole thing, please give your opinion. I don't dare call Manila at this time and just get dumped but In a week will call the 1213 number in the states and ask again if my form has been processed a month after being sent. If not I'll try this guy's phone number idea and see if it works. THANKS for the tip because it just might be what we need. You don't need to watch the whole video. It's all explained within the first 10 minutes. Here's the updated policy in the SSA Policy Manual where the process details are all laid out for the SSA employees to follow. Whether the FBU's, let alone SSA stateside employees, will follow it should an expat calls is probably the biggest obstacle t this time
August 31, 2025Aug 31 8 minutes ago, Pib said: Here's the SSA link to the SSA POMS change talked about in the video which adds the 7162 form to the list of forms that can be done via signature poxy interview. But notice at the very end of the change notice it states after the signature proxy attestation interview concludes with whatever SSA office in the world you called an electronic form still ends up being electronically transmitted to Wilkes Barre. https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/reference.nsf/links/08272025080205PM It's my understanding that the transmission of an electronic form to Wilkes Barre is the responsibility of the SSA employee/office that recorded/documented the attestation.
August 31, 2025Aug 31 1 minute ago, jeffandgop said: You don't need to watch the whole video. It's all explained within the first 10 minutes. Here's the updated policy in the SSA Policy Manual where the process details are all laid out for the SSA employees to follow. Whether the FBU's, let alone SSA stateside employees, will follow it should an expat calls is probably the biggest obstacle t this time Yeah, that's what I meant to say. I'll give it a try in a week. So, if the "attestation" works, then the rep sends an electronic form to Wilkes-Barre. I have my doubts, but it would be so much better than this mailing nonsense, though it used to work fine for me before all these crazy politics.
August 31, 2025Aug 31 4 minutes ago, jeffandgop said: You don't need to watch the whole video. It's all explained within the first 10 minutes. Here's the updated policy in the SSA Policy Manual where the process details are all laid out for the SSA employees to follow. Whether the FBU's, let alone SSA stateside employees, will follow it should an expat calls is probably the biggest obstacle t this time The file probably is unreadable....Use Pib's SSA link....https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/reference.nsf/links/08272025080205PM
August 31, 2025Aug 31 On 6/4/2025 at 7:02 PM, connda said: It's about that time of year for us US SSA recipient to get the annual SSA Form 7162 "Are you still alive" forms. These forms are usually mailed out in May so folks should be receiving them soon. I've opened this thread to discuss issues regarding the SSA Form 7162 forms here in 2025. I checked yesterday and I haven't received my form yet. SSA SOUTHEAST ASIA MANILA PHILIPPINES, Stated they just sent them out they were late sending. Also there encouraging people in Southeast Asia to send them to them instead of to America 🇺🇸 Because of the Trump whacked Tarriffs !! To assure there recived and recorded without delays or added shipping cost.
August 31, 2025Aug 31 2 minutes ago, jeffandgop said: It's my understanding that the transmission of an electronic form to Wilkes Barre is the responsibility of the SSA employee/office that recorded/documented the attestation. Yeap....that's the way I read it. It's like the SSA interviewer who conducts/documents the interview in the SSA system then must also send an eform to Wilkes Barre where Wilkes Barre needs to do something with it...like maybe mark you off the list of people not responding to the 7162 mailing. And then if Wilkes Barre does not get the eform/does mark you off their list then you could still end up being put on their "did not respond" list in January which the SSA International Ops Office is suppose to review before actually suspending payment. The international office is suppose to check their system to see if maybe the person responded a different way like via proxy signature, etc.
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