On 7/6/2025 at 9:23 PM, Thailand J said:

Call me stupid but i don't see how mailing an old form or a downloaded one is useful at this point , when no one in Thailand has reported receiving the 2025 form.

If it isn't in by February, they stop paying. If the form is not here by September, I am sending it anyway.

28 minutes ago, cjinchiangrai said:

If it isn't in by February, they stop paying. If the form is not here by September, I am sending it anyway.

yeah... my friend (dual Thai/US citizen) received and returned his 2024 7162 but come Feb. he was cutoff.  He immediately sent a replacement and finally in May got all his missing benefits paid.  The threat is real.

1 hour ago, gamb00ler said:

yeah... my friend (dual Thai/US citizen) received and returned his 2024 7162 but come Feb. he was cutoff.  He immediately sent a replacement and finally in May got all his missing benefits paid.  The threat is real.

He/she didn't get the letter, around Oct, from Soc Sec stating they didn't receive the 7162, as I did one year, to avoid the cut off.   Why I send 2 or 3 copies now.

There are approx 760,000 US expats receiving SS.  The 7162 process is AUTOMATED - a computer generates and processes the forms.  There is no way that staff at the SSA manually process 760,000 of these 7162 every year.  THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM DOES IT.  So someone has gone in to the system and has shut the 7162 process down in 2025.

44 minutes ago, MJoe said:

There are approx 760,000 US expats receiving SS.  The 7162 process is AUTOMATED - a computer generates and processes the forms.  There is no way that staff at the SSA manually process 760,000 of these 7162 every year.  THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM DOES IT.  So someone has gone in to the system and has shut the 7162 process down in 2025.

The DOGE big ball boys who came in to smash things up at agencies are immature computer nerds. Something broke related to these letters going out, whether accidental or intentional there is no way for us mere citizens to know at this point. Assuming they eventually do go out, this doesn't actually inspire any confidence that this assaulted agency will competently process our resonses.

The following link provides an insight about our major problems with SSA Form 7162, a good read for those who are interested:

 

SSA Forms 7162, 7161 Submission Issues | Shared Grok Conversation

 

 

24 minutes ago, Migz said:

The following link provides an insight about our major problems with SSA Form 7162, a good read for those who are interested:

 

SSA Forms 7162, 7161 Submission Issues | Shared Grok Conversation

 

 

There is no link to follow here.

4 hours ago, MJoe said:

There are approx 760,000 US expats receiving SS.  The 7162 process is AUTOMATED - a computer generates and processes the forms.  There is no way that staff at the SSA manually process 760,000 of these 7162 every year.  THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM DOES IT.  So someone has gone in to the system and has shut the 7162 process down in 2025.

Well, it's SSA employees which tell their computers what to do in accordance with the yearly policy for 7162s....and It does cost to mail things....and the US govt agencies must pay postage costs just like everyone else although they probably get a small metered mail discount.   And the SSA uses print vendors for much of its bulk printing & mailing processes such as the 7162 mailing process...that is, it's a contracted-out process and contracts cost money to award/maintain/use.   But let's get back to just the mailing costs.

 

Currently to send a small envelope internationally (i.e., like US to Thailand) the USPS charges $1.70.  Let's say the SSA (and it's print vendor) might get a metered mail price of $1.50 per international 7172 envelope it mails out.  $1.50 times 760,000 comes to $1.14M in postage costs only...and this is not including the print/mailing vendor basic contract costs.

 

DOGE implemented polices where pretty much all current contracts had to be reviewed and many contracts were cancelled under their ongoing review.   At one time all new and annual contracts of $50K or more required DOGE review/approval....a process that delays things.  I have no doubt SSA mailing/printings costs and contracts are caught in this DOGE process.

 

Now none of us will probably every find out the specific reason(s) for this year's delayed 7162 mailing, but my gut feeling is the reasons are:  new SSA leadership rocking the boat,  SSA employee turmoil/firings, SSA review of its processes, and review & new approval requirements (i.e., DOGE's involvement) for govt contracts such as mailing contracts.

 

No, it's not as simple as it being just an automated SSA computer process.

 

9 minutes ago, Pib said:

Well, it's SSA employees which tell their computers what to do in accordance with the yearly policy for 7162s....and It does cost to mail things....and the US govt agencies must pay postage costs just like everyone else although they probably get a small metered mail discount.   And the SSA uses print vendors for much of its bulk printing & mailing processes such as the 7162 mailing process...that is, it's a contracted-out process and contracts cost money to award/maintain/use.   But let's get back to just the mailing costs.

 

Currently to send a small envelope internationally (i.e., like US to Thailand) the USPS charges $1.70.  Let's say the SSA (and it's print vendor) might get a metered mail price of $1.50 per international 7172 envelope it mails out.  $1.50 times 760,000 comes to $1.14M in postage costs only...and this is not including the print/mailing vendor basic contract costs.

 

DOGE implemented polices where pretty much all current contracts had to be reviewed and many contracts were cancelled under their ongoing review.   At one time all new and annual contracts of $50K or more required DOGE review/approval....a process that delays things.  I have no doubt SSA mailing/printings costs and contract are caught in this DOGE process.

 

Now none of us will probably every find out the specific reason(s) for this year's delayed 7162 mailing, but my gut feeling is the reasons are:  new SSA leadership rocking the boat,  SSA employee turmoil/firings, SSA review of its processes, and review & new approval requirements (i.e., DOGE's involvement) for govt contracts such as mailing contracts.

 

No, it's not as simple as it being just an automated SSA computer process.

 

The government could join the modern era and send the form electronically. For the few who don't have email, they can request a physical form. 

Returning the form could/should be online too. 

There has to be a way to make this more efficient. Sending a document and only requiring a signature (which could be forged) is no safer than sending it electronically... unless I'm missing something. 

Then again, we're talking about a country that apparently still uses floppy discs to control missiles. 🤷‍♂️

3 minutes ago, Galong said:

The government could join the modern era and send the form electronically. For the few who don't have email, they can request a physical form. 

Returning the form could/should be online too. 

There has to be a way to make this more efficient. Sending a document and only requiring a signature (which could be forged) is no safer than sending it electronically... unless I'm missing something. 

Then again, we're talking about a country that apparently still uses floppy discs to control missiles. 🤷‍♂️

It all comes down to what processes SSA feels can be adequately accomplished (including their legal requirements) via digital or wet signature while taking in account the SSA customer base which has a large population of senior citizens (old people) and disabled people.   

 

Click on below SSA weblink to see the SSA Alternate Signature regulation which has been around for a long time....like since 2004....but the 7162 process has not been approved for an alternate process yet although under emergency conditions the "attestation" process has been authorized at times like when benefits got cut-off due to SSA not receiving back some wet-signature signed SSA form.

 

https://secure.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0200201015

Hey folks, instead of whining, crying, and boasting how much you think you know how about going to CM and let the Manila FBU know how much a desired automated process would be?

 

If a lot of folks crammed the Payap University on July 22nd then perhaps the FBU will take more notice of us wanting an electronic process.

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/federal-benefits/social-security/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLizwdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBIZ2drT3VockNpMFpjSlRwAR4B9wOjCckfZcs2UlczOA_wiqn0J1zqMtKLKrEgjEc2MJpyD0lohx641-AAHA_aem_nupxtqfgW4KDLipzmtXnEg

 

As I stated before, be loud, get noticed, and maybe they will understand our concerns. I bombard the Manilla Ambassador almost weekly on 'X (Twitter) about our lack of support in Southeast Asia.

5 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

Hey folks, instead of whining, crying, and boasting how much you think you know how about going to CM and let the Manila FBU know how much a desired automated process would be?

 

If a lot of folks crammed the Payap University on July 22nd then perhaps the FBU will take more notice of us wanting an electronic process.

 

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/federal-benefits/social-security/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLizwdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBIZ2drT3VockNpMFpjSlRwAR4B9wOjCckfZcs2UlczOA_wiqn0J1zqMtKLKrEgjEc2MJpyD0lohx641-AAHA_aem_nupxtqfgW4KDLipzmtXnEg

 

As I stated before, be loud, get noticed, and maybe they will understand our concerns. I bombard the Manilla Ambassador almost weekly on 'X (Twitter) about our lack of support in Southeast Asia.

FBUs do not establish policies.

If you want to lobby contact expat advocating lobbying groups or elected representatives of your last US address.

 

2 hours ago, Pib said:

Well, it's SSA employees which tell their computers what to do in accordance with the yearly policy for 7162s....and It does cost to mail things....and the US govt agencies must pay postage costs just like everyone else although they probably get a small metered mail discount.   And the SSA uses print vendors for much of its bulk printing & mailing processes such as the 7162 mailing process...that is, it's a contracted-out process and contracts cost money to award/maintain/use.   But let's get back to just the mailing costs.

 

Currently to send a small envelope internationally (i.e., like US to Thailand) the USPS charges $1.70.  Let's say the SSA (and it's print vendor) might get a metered mail price of $1.50 per international 7172 envelope it mails out.  $1.50 times 760,000 comes to $1.14M in postage costs only...and this is not including the print/mailing vendor basic contract costs.

 

DOGE implemented polices where pretty much all current contracts had to be reviewed and many contracts were cancelled under their ongoing review.   At one time all new and annual contracts of $50K or more required DOGE review/approval....a process that delays things.  I have no doubt SSA mailing/printings costs and contracts are caught in this DOGE process.

 

Now none of us will probably every find out the specific reason(s) for this year's delayed 7162 mailing, but my gut feeling is the reasons are:  new SSA leadership rocking the boat,  SSA employee turmoil/firings, SSA review of its processes, and review & new approval requirements (i.e., DOGE's involvement) for govt contracts such as mailing contracts.

 

No, it's not as simple as it being just an automated SSA computer process.

 

 

Yes - what you’ve said is true.  I agree it could be for the reasons you’ve outlined and I agree that we may never find out.  For me personally, I’m not prepared to hedge my bets that this is a delay.  I agree it could be, but I’m not comfortable assuming that and not doing anything.

 

I think the million dollar question is:

 

Do we know of anyone in past years who has sent a completed 7162 — either downloaded or copy from prior year, that is NOT THE BARCODED VERSION GENERATED AND SENT BY SSA — and had confirmation that a SSA employee received it, processed it and manually updated the SS system to mark them as still alive.

24 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

FBUs do not establish policies.

 

I know that, but they are supposed to be our 'eyes & ears' or are they not?

 

Overwhelm them and then perhaps they will understand that they need some support....... Would it hurt to express yourself about the need of an automated process?

 

Folks on AN rant & rave about DOGE and how they are cutting expenses.....  so it takes $0 to send folks from the Manila Embassy to CM?  LMAO

3 minutes ago, MJoe said:

I think the million dollar question is:

 

Do we know of anyone in past years who has sent a completed 7162 — either downloaded or copy from prior year, that is NOT THE BARCODED VERSION GENERATED AND SENT BY SSA — and had confirmation that a SSA employee received it, processed it and manually updated the SS system to mark them as still alive.

I did!!

 

I shrunk myself down to an itty biddy size, jumped in the friggin envelope and followed my 7162 across the SSA employee's desk while it was being verified and inputted into the system.

 

Are you for real?????

27 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

I know that, but they are supposed to be our 'eyes & ears' or are they not?

 

Overwhelm them and then perhaps they will understand that they need some support....... Would it hurt to express yourself about the need of an automated process?

 

Folks on AN rant & rave about DOGE and how they are cutting expenses.....  so it takes $0 to send folks from the Manila Embassy to CM?  LMAO

It could be argued that automation will eliminate FBU jobs. So not sure they would be great advocates for us.

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

It could be argued that automation will eliminate FBU jobs. So not sure they would be great advocates for us.

Eliminate their jobs? Seriously?

 

They should know that they are overwhelmed if it takes them days/weeks to respond to an email.....and months to react to various requests.....or perhaps the inability for a person to contact them via phone.

 

One would think that they would accept and appreciate some help. 

 

Again.....folks should (if they are able) take the time and meet with the FBU in CM and at least be vocal  let them know they lack supporting us properly. 

1 hour ago, dingdongrb said:

Eliminate their jobs? Seriously?

 

They should know that they are overwhelmed if it takes them days/weeks to respond to an email.....and months to react to various requests.....or perhaps the inability for a person to contact them via phone.

 

One would think that they would accept and appreciate some help. 

 

Again.....folks should (if they are able) take the time and meet with the FBU in CM and at least be vocal  let them know they lack supporting us properly. 

Most of those kinds of jobs are on the way out regardless within 5 or 10 years. (AI.)

I saw this in a news article today....Hopefully it comes to fruition..

 

The revamped My Social Security portal is designed to give both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries around-the-clock access to their accounts.

Through the portal, users can request replacement Social Security cards, upload documents, submit online forms, and manage critical features such as direct deposit information, tax forms, and benefit verification letters. Non-beneficiaries can also check application statuses and access personalized estimates of their or their spouse's benefits, according to the SSA.

"My top priority is to transform SSA into a model of excellence—an organization that operates at peak efficiency and delivers outstanding service to every American," SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano said in a statement.

 

 

I sent an email to Manila inquiring about the 7162 form....Got this strange reply. It's as if they know little about it until your benefits are suspended....

 

*****************************************Thank you for contacting the Social Security Administration's Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

Dear Sir:

Our pensioners are randomly selected by the system to receive the form.

Moreover, Baltimore has even engaged the services of a contractor to do the mailing, suspension and reinstatement of benefits.

It is one of the numerous check and balance system in place that we utilize for our head office to determine, independently from us, if our pensioner is still living or not.

Our office in Manila only comes into the picture once your record has been suspended due to the non-compliance.

Hence, we have no record, information or whatsoever, if you are or will be receiving the form this year.

For your peace of mind, you can email us every 3rd week of January to check if your benefit was suspended due to the form.

Thank you.

19 minutes ago, WileyB said:

I saw this in a news article today....Hopefully it comes to fruition..

 

The revamped My Social Security portal is designed to give both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries around-the-clock access to their accounts.

Through the portal, users can request replacement Social Security cards, upload documents, submit online forms, and manage critical features such as direct deposit information, tax forms, and benefit verification letters. Non-beneficiaries can also check application statuses and access personalized estimates of their or their spouse's benefits, according to the SSA.

"My top priority is to transform SSA into a model of excellence—an organization that operates at peak efficiency and delivers outstanding service to every American," SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano said in a statement.

 

 

https://www.govexec.com/management/2025/03/dems-call-bisignano-withdraw-ssa-tweaks-controversial-plan/404106/

43 minutes ago, WileyB said:

I sent an email to Manila inquiring about the 7162 form....Got this strange reply. It's as if they know little about it until your benefits are suspended....

 

*****************************************Thank you for contacting the Social Security Administration's Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

Dear Sir:

Our pensioners are randomly selected by the system to receive the form.

Moreover, Baltimore has even engaged the services of a contractor to do the mailing, suspension and reinstatement of benefits.

It is one of the numerous check and balance system in place that we utilize for our head office to determine, independently from us, if our pensioner is still living or not.

Our office in Manila only comes into the picture once your record has been suspended due to the non-compliance.

Hence, we have no record, information or whatsoever, if you are or will be receiving the form this year.

For your peace of mind, you can email us every 3rd week of January to check if your benefit was suspended due to the form.

Thank you.

Did anyone ask Manila if they can or will verify that the 7162 was received in Wilkes Barra and recorded that we are still alive ?

 

I'd hate to bother them for no reason, if they couldn't verify 7162 was received.  I wouldn't want to wait till Jan 2026, to find out I was suspended, and have my DD interrupted, and be non compliant for extension.

47 minutes ago, WileyB said:

Moreover, Baltimore has even engaged the services of a contractor to do the mailing, suspension and reinstatement of benefits.

 

 

This is a bit concerning, and it might explain the lack of 7162's so far.

 

Privatizing the verification process for continued benefit eligibility/payment, where the contractor might be rewarded for reducing participation, might have serious ramifications for us.

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, WileyB said:

I saw this in a news article today....Hopefully it comes to fruition..

 

The revamped My Social Security portal is designed to give both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries around-the-clock access to their accounts.

Through the portal, users can request replacement Social Security cards, upload documents, submit online forms, and manage critical features such as direct deposit information, tax forms, and benefit verification letters. Non-beneficiaries can also check application statuses and access personalized estimates of their or their spouse's benefits, according to the SSA.

"My top priority is to transform SSA into a model of excellence—an organization that operates at peak efficiency and delivers outstanding service to every American," SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano said in a statement.

 

 

 

A person has been able to request replacement SS cards, get your annual tax form, and benefit letters, and do other things from their SSA online acct for a l.....o.....n.....g time----nothing new about that except the current SSA leadership is trying to make it's sound like something brand new.    Now if the SSA online acct portal does become available "24/7" then that will be an improvement, something new....and I think it is indeed available 24/7 "now" based on some of my recent weekend testing.

 

 And the part about being able to upload docs and manage direct deposit that has also been around for a   l....o....n....g  time.  Unfortunately it does "not" work for those with non-US addresses (like a Thailand address where you patiently wait for your 7162 to arrive).   But all these neat options on the SSA online acct will work if you have a US address onfile; if having an international address onfile several of the functions do not work because after clicking them you then go to a screen basically saying Sorry Charlie, No-Can-Do since you have an international address onfile.   Been like that for a long time...and still is like that.

 

For example I logged onto my acct a few minutes ago to make some snapshots of what happens when you click on the Upload Documents link....you will end-up being told "no-can-do" for those with an international address on file with SSA.   And when going under your Profile to update your Direct Deposit info...like switch it to another bank....once again you can not do it online but are told to contact the SSA due to having an international address onfile.

 

When it comes to what you can do with your SSA online acct a lot depends on whether you have a US or international address onfile.

 

A lot of the recent SSA media releases talking "good stuff" that SSA is doing is stuff that's been available in the SSA online acct for years... trying to take credit for achievements of others from numerous years ago.    And as mentioned some of the online capabilities only work if having a US address onfile.   

 

Take these the recent SSA press releases where they are patting themselves and-their SSA Director  on the back with a BIG grain of salt as some capabilities have been around for a long time although the SSA media releases are trying to package them as something brand new.  I just hope the SSA does at some point make all the functions currently available in a person's SSA online acct also "useable/available" to folks with international addresses onfile with SSA.

 

'

SSA online acct Snapshot on 17 July 2025...Upload Documents link has been their for years....however it may not work for you depending on your address on planet Earth.

 

 

After clicking "Upload Documents" you get below:

 

 

 

And let's say you want to update your banking info you get below showing your current direct deposit info....and for those with an international address when you click the "Contract Us" button you are told to call the SSA to update your bank DD info.   Or although it doesn't say so, you can contract Manila FBU.

 

 

 

After clicking the "contact us" link.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Did anyone ask Manila if they can or will verify that the 7162 was received in Wilkes Barra and recorded that we are still alive ?

I take it that you don't read the other posts?

 

I posted this on July 7th:

 

"Looking at my records from last year, my form was dated June 6 when I received it. I mailed it out on June 26th so I'm thinking it probably took a few weeks from the time it was created and mailed to me.

 

After weeks had passed with mailing it I emailed the FBU mid-August and asked if they had received my signed form. They replied saying that since the process is undertaken by the US Central Office they couldn't tell me if it had been received at that time and to query them again in 1-2 months."

8 minutes ago, Pib said:

 

A person has been able to request replacement SS cards, get your annual tax form, and benefit letters, and do other things from their SSA online acct for a l.....o.....n.....g time----nothing new about that except the current SSA leadership is trying to make it's sound like something brand new.    Now if the SSA online acct portal does become available "24/7" then that will be an improvement, something new....and I think it is indeed available 24/7 "now" based on some of my recent weekend testing.

 

 And the part about being able to upload docs and manage direct deposit that has also been around for a   l....o....n....g  time.  Unfortunately it does "not" work for those with non-US addresses (like a Thailand address where you patiently wait for your 7162 to arrive).   But all these neat options on the SSA online acct will work if you have a US address onfile; if having an international address onfile several of the functions do not work because after clicking them you then go to a screen basically saying Sorry Charlie, No-Can-Do since you have an international address onfile.   Been like that for a long time...and still is like that.

 

For example I logged onto my acct a few minutes ago to make some snapshots of what happens when you click on the Upload Documents link....you will end-up being told "no-can-do" for those with an international address on file with SSA.   And when going under your Profile to update your Direct Deposit info...like switch it to another bank....once again you can not do it online but are told to contact the SSA due to having an international address onfile.

 

When it comes to what you can do with your SSA online acct a lot depends on whether you have a US or international address onfile.

 

A lot of the recent SSA media releases talking "good stuff" that SSA is doing is stuff that's been available in the SSA online acct for years... trying to take credit for achievements of others from numerous years ago.    And as mentioned some of the online capabilities only work if having a US address onfile.   

 

Take these the recent SSA press releases where they are patting themselves and-their SSA Director  on the back with a BIG grain of salt as some capabilities have been around for a long time although the SSA media releases are trying to package them as something brand new.  I just hope the SSA does at some point make all the functions currently available in a person's SSA online acct also "useable/available" to folks with international addresses onfile with SSA.

 

'

SSA online acct Snapshot on 17 July 2025...Upload Documents link has been their for years....however it may not work for you depending on your address on planet Earth.

 

 

After clicking "Upload Documents" you get below:

 

 

 

And let's say you want to update your banking info you get below showing your current direct deposit info....and for those with an international address when you click the "Contract Us" button you are told to call the SSA to update your bank DD info.   Or although it doesn't say so, you can contract Manila FBU.

 

 

 

After clicking the "contact us" link.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All great information, now go to CM on the 22nd and relay all that to the FBU.......and tell them to fix it or provide better resources!

Hello, are you dead yet?

 

Feels like it living in Isan.

12 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

All great information, now go to CM on the 22nd and relay all that to the FBU.......and tell them to fix it or provide better resources!

Telling them something they already know...and have known for years.. does nothing.   The FBUs can only do what HQ SSA and Dept of State allows them to do.  And SSA FBU employees (mostly local national employees) are actually Dept of State employees who receive SSA training and limited responsibilities.

"Hello, are you dead yet?"

 

"Yang mai die?" is one of my favourite Thai greetings... 

4 hours ago, Pib said:

Now if the SSA online acct portal does become available "24/7" then that will be an improvement, something new....and I think it is indeed available 24/7 "now" based on some of my recent weekend testing.

 

 

Yea, I'm getting access at times they were closed before. At least that's something. But why can't international addresses upload documents???? If we've gone through the same verification process as everyone else for My Social Security, why not accept our documents?