Signing Up For Ssan Retirement Benefits

[mrmillersr]

With only a few months before I can start collecting, I was wondering if anyone knew what the procedure is to sign up for Social Security retirement benefits if they live in Thailand.

I take it there must be a way to do it without having travelling back to the States. If anyone has any experience in this, I would greatly appreciate it. Also have a Thai wife who lived in the US before and has a SSAN but never worked but I think she is still entitled to some monthly benefit as well, unless I'm wrong.

[Jungian]

I checked in to it 4 or 5 years ago when they switched over to the point system (I'm nowhere ready to collect) but I was under the impression that you had to go in for an interview unless you were unable to due to a medical condition. Also at the time from what I read if you did not live in the USA and did not receive medicare you could get a check for a few hundred dollars a month. But as I said this was a few years ago so it may (as it always does) have changed.

[willbartholomew]

I live in Chiang Mai but am currently in America for my yearly visit. I am elegible to collect SSA retirement benefits next January so I called SSA to see if I could apply while in Thailand. I was told that you can apply online from the SSA website and don't have to do it in person. You can begin the process up to 3 months before you are eligible. I don't know what benefits your wife would be entitled to. Hope this helps.

[CaptHaddock]

I checked in to it 4 or 5 years ago when they switched over to the point system (I'm nowhere ready to collect) but I was under the impression that you had to go in for an interview unless you were unable to due to a medical condition. Also at the time from what I read if you did not live in the USA and did not receive medicare you could get a check for a few hundred dollars a month. But as I said this was a few years ago so it may (as it always does) have changed.

Complete junk misinformation. For a US citizen, SS benefits do not depend on where you live and it never did. They don't depend on medicare either except that the govt deducts the medicare premiums from the benefit payment. Of course, if you don't sign up for Medicare you won't pay the premiums.

[noise]

With only a few months before I can start collecting, I was wondering if anyone knew what the procedure is to sign up for Social Security retirement benefits if they live in Thailand.

I take it there must be a way to do it without having travelling back to the States. If anyone has any experience in this, I would greatly appreciate it. Also have a Thai wife who lived in the US before and has a SSAN but never worked but I think she is still entitled to some monthly benefit as well, unless I'm wrong.

From my experiences (PM me for more info, if you wish)

1. You can apply by mail; you do not need to do it in person with an interview
   
2. You can not apply on line when living overseas.
   
3. You can get the forms on line or from the U.S. Consulate
   
4. The consulate has a SS specialist that will explain what you need to fill out
   
5. You send in your application to Manila (addess on line or from consulate)
   
6. It has been suggested that calling Manila may insure you provide all required info the first time (optional).
   
7. Consulate will send it to Manila but without any tracking mechanism. One employee strongly recommended DHL, Fed Ex, etc., for tracking purposes. I did that; fast, on line receipt.
   
8. If you have sent in all required info, Manila returns that application to you and sends info to Baltimore electronically for processing. If missing something, they contact you.
   

If your wife has lived a minimum of 5 years in the US and is 62 or older, she, too, can apply and collect. However, since she will be applying for benefits based on your work record and not her own, there are a couple of different forms required (i.e., SSA-3 Marriage Certification and SSA-2 Wife/Husband Application Form). You will also need proof of disolution of any prior marriages.

Hope this is useful.

[Jungian]

I checked in to it 4 or 5 years ago when they switched over to the point system (I'm nowhere ready to collect) but I was under the impression that you had to go in for an interview unless you were unable to due to a medical condition. Also at the time from what I read if you did not live in the USA and did not receive medicare you could get a check for a few hundred dollars a month. But as I said this was a few years ago so it may (as it always does) have changed.

Complete junk misinformation. For a US citizen, SS benefits do not depend on where you live and it never did. They don't depend on medicare either except that the govt deducts the medicare premiums from the benefit payment. Of course, if you don't sign up for Medicare you won't pay the premiums.

I said it may be out of date didn't I? and it is not complete "junk" as you say if in fact medicare is deducted from the benefit and you do not take it then you do receive more money do you not? As a resident of Pennsylvania we were required to report to the local Social Security department 1 time to apply for the benefit and show original documents to prevent fraud, heck you can't even renew a passport by mail from Thailand why would they accept a social security application when they are going to be paying you for the rest of your life. In any event it does appear you can apply on line now at:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/applying8.htm

But I guess confusion and hostility could have been avoided by just goolging "how to apply for social security benefits"

[drtreelove]

Noise has got it right. And then you should think about how you are going to get your check. Direct deposit into an American bank account is the cleanest (you will get it like clockwork on the 3rd of each month), then use an ATM for withdrawals; or set up a repetitive wire transfer where all you have to do is make a phone call and punch in your pin and amount to transfer to your Bangkok Bank account.

Other options are to get your check sent to the US Consulate, where you have to pick it up each month or have them mail it to your Thai address. Or, it is possible to set up a direct deposit to a Bangkok Bank account, but it is a very restrictive type of account and you have to make personal appearance (no ATM allowed) to withdraw; I'm not sure if they will allow iBanking transfers to an ATM account. Use only Thapae branch or Kad Suan Kaew, they know the story, other branches may not.

If you take your benefits at 62 you will have to take about 30% cut in amount as opposed to waiting until you are 66 1/2. don

[retiredusn]

One change is you will receive your check or direct deposit during the week of birth. I get my deposit on the third wed. of the month as birthday is 14th. No longer are all checks/deposits sent the 1st of the month.

[jaideeguy]

Having just gone thru the process, I will confirm what Noise posted and add that you can also fax the info to Manila. I faxed one copy and EMS mailed another to insure delivery. A few days after, I received a call from Manila to set up a time for a phone interview and after that was told that 'the check is in the mail". Do apply 4 months before your 62nd b-day to receive first check earliest.

My b-day is june 20 and my first check will arrive in my american bank in august because I waited too long. FYI.....minimum payment is $422.10/mo.

[Ulysses G.]

heck you can't even renew a passport by mail from Thailand

I just did it, but I did apply through the US consultate.

[mrmillersr]

Thanks for all the replies. It's been very helpful. Couple of other followup questions.

When you apply, what information do they require you supply them with?

I think I read somewhere online one item was a copy of your last tax return which we lost in one of the boxes that disappeared that we shipped to Thailand before we moved here. We do have our SSAN cards, wife's former US Resident card, wife's expired passport showing we have been married some 35 plus years, marriage certificate (Thai) when we were married in Korat with an English translation copy and my DD214 Military Discharge records.

Also, maybe I am mistaken but I was under the impression that if you do not reside in the US and live overseas you are not eligible to open a US bank account. If there is a way to do this, could someone please tell me if they know if there is a way I could open up an account without needing to fly back to the US to do it.

Again, thanks for all your help.

[mrmillersr]

During a search on the net I found out it is possible to get social security benefits deposited into a debit card account. From what I read this can be done even if you live overseas.

While it would be very convenient as opposed to receiving a check by post, there is one major drawback. You get hit with both a $3.00 plus 3% of the amount withdrawal fee on the amount you take out each time you use an ATM machine over here. Plus whatever fee the local banks charge for the ATM withdrawal.

Anyone if anyone is interested the website is http://www.usdirectexpress.com/edcfdtclient/index.html

[Jungian]

heck you can't even renew a passport by mail from Thailand

I just did it, but I did apply through the US consultate.

That was my point... they have to do it for you.

[vagabond48]

Also, maybe I am mistaken but I was under the impression that if you do not reside in the US and live overseas you are not eligible to open a US bank account. If there is a way to do this, could someone please tell me if they know if there is a way I could open up an account without needing to fly back to the US to do it.

That is partially true. You need a US address (a relative, close friend or mail forwarding service) but don't need to reside there. Where my financial institutions allow overseas mailing addresses, I give them my CM PO address, including the IRS. I believe a number these institutions may require a US driver's license or state ID to open an account.

[mrmillersr]

heck you can't even renew a passport by mail from Thailand

I just did it, but I did apply through the US consultate.

That was my point... they have to do it for you.

That brings up another question I have. My passport is due for renewal in three months also. Can you tell me when I should apply and what I need to provide to do this? Also, do I keep my current passport or does this get turned in when I fill out the forms for the new one?

Thanks

[Bill97]

Check the US Consul website and if your PP questions are not answered, call them on the telephone. That way you get the current and accurate information. Same for SSA, check their website.

[elektrified]

Taking into consideration the U.S. Patriot Act, I don't see how you could possibly open a U.S. bank account without going into a U.S. bank in person and providing them with your ID and U.S. address.

The more I think about it, you might be able to open a money market account on-line with etrade or Schwab or one of those. It may be worth a try. You for sure would need a U.S. address. I don't know how they verify your identity however.

Edited June 8, 2009 by elektrified

[Ulysses G.]

heck you can't even renew a passport by mail from Thailand

I just did it, but I did apply through the US consultate.

That was my point... they have to do it for you.

That brings up another question I have. My passport is due for renewal in three months also. Can you tell me when I should apply and what I need to provide to do this? Also, do I keep my current passport or does this get turned in when I fill out the forms for the new one?

Thanks

It takes two weeks after you apply. All you need is your old passport. You give them the old passport to punch holes in when you get the new one.

[vagabond48]

Taking into consideration the U.S. Patriot Act, I don't see how you could possibly open a U.S. bank account without going into a U.S. bank in person and providing them with your ID and U.S. address.

The more I think about it, you might be able to open a money market account on-line with etrade or Schwab or one of those. It may be worth a try. You for sure would need a U.S. address. I don't know how they verify your identity however.

I have done it several times over the last 2 years with online US banks especially if they have no brick and mortar branches. You primarily need the US address, SS#, and valid driver's license and oh yeah, a bit of cash. Regarding your id, they may do a fast credit check on you.

[mrmillersr]

"It takes two weeks after you apply. All you need is your old passport. You give them the old passport to punch holes in when you get the new one"

Do you remember what it cost and did you pay in USD or baht?

Thanks