Social Security

[kngdady]

I am retired and recieve retirement monies from my former employer and will be eligable for social security soon. I would like to know if I could apply in Thailand for social security from the US or would I have to apply in the United States?

[Jingthing]

The US embassy here will help you apply through the Manila office:

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/service/feder...-and-taxes.html

Good luck and congratulations.

Also, FYI, Barack Obama has said he is open to cutting social security benefits and raising the retirement age to start receiving benefits, as opposed to Hillary Clinton who will solve the funding problem by raising the income cap on the social security tax, in other words, stopping the Bush era welfare for the rich.

Edited February 17, 2008 by Jingthing

[jimmym40]

We live in ChiangMai and I just submitted the paperwork (by FAX) to Manila, this is for my wife. All the consulate here did was give us a 4 pg packet (form) to fill out and fax or mail to Manila. They don't do anything here in Thailand. Faxed it about two weeks ago and haven't heard anything from Manila.

[PeaceBlondie]

We live in ChiangMai and I just submitted the paperwork (by FAX) to Manila, this is for my wife. All the consulate here did was give us a 4 pg packet (form) to fill out and fax or mail to Manila. They don't do anything here in Thailand. Faxed it about two weeks ago and haven't heard anything from Manila.

My mileage differed greatly. On the month after my 62nd birthday, on the advice of the very nice and knowledgeable folks in Manila, I gave my packet (all filled out) to the equally good American employee (the middle aged nice lady with red hair), and she put it in the diplomatic pouch. Manila got it promptly, did their preliminary inspection of the packet (probably ensuring that all my paperwork was included), made one daytime call to me, and mailed it to the big SS center in Baltimore, who took an agonizing FIVE MONTHS to process it.

Once you get the pension and are still under age 66 (that is, under full retirement age for your date of birth), you must keep SS informed of your current address. Periodically they mail you a work questionnaire and if you don't reply, they CANCEL your payments until you answer it! In my case, it took five months for the payments to be reinstated in arrears.

Also, do not waste your time calling the (NON) toll free number in the USA, because the folks who answer the phone are clueless about people living abroad. Call Manila (cheaper, and right time zone), who are more knowledgeable.

[tracer5050]

Thanks for the advise it will help me soon

[thaihome]

Isn't it better to just maintain a US address and not even let on that you actually live overseas? You can have your SS check deposited in a US bank and just make ATM withdrawals as needed.

If you do not have a relative or friend that will let you use their address, there are any number of mail forwarding outfits that will give you a US address that looks like a residence.

TH

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

This wasn't part of the question but I think it may be of interest to some. In December went into embassy and got forms for change of address and info on mailing to Manila.Sent the info to Manila for change of address to Thailand. Got my first one in Thailand on the 12th Feb. It was mailed from US to BKK embassy and they forwarded to me.

Could have used the Bangkok Bank direct transfer but didn't care for the hassel of going in every month and having another bank account to mess with.

It did not take as long as I thought it might but then my wife did everything at the same time and still hasn't received her check.

[Southlake]

I don't feel so all alone now with my SS problems. Nice to know you are out there. I set up my SS account before leaving the states and have direct deposit there. My payments started before I expected, which is fine, but now they have just as abruptly stopped. I have called and only get a recording, I have written them 4 times with my current Thailand address and have also ask that they use my email address when making changes. They have never responded. Thank you for the Malaysia address I will try going there. Does anyone have any idea what to do other than that to find out what they are doing with my payments.

Thanks again.