Applying For Us Social Security While Living In Thailand

[connda]

Have any of my fellow American Expats applied for U.S. Social Security while living here in Thailand.

It's something that I need to start preparing for. It's my understanding that the US Embassies in Thailand don't process Social Security.

If you have applied while living in Thailand, and are currently receiving a Social Security check, what process did you follow. And do you have any suggestions to make the process as smooth as possible.

Thanks kindly!

[beechguy]

I've seen several reports, I would do a search here on the forum, and on the SSI website. I know the Phillippines was being used as the nearest local office, and I know people were having checks deposited so they were available locally at Bangkok Bank. Hopefully you'll get more detailed information soon.

Here is one thread that may have something useful.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/604102-applying-for-us-social-security-in-chiang-mai/page__hl__+us%20+social%20+security#entry5922067

Also may help if this is moved to the business/banking forum.

[ballbreaker]

Connda I applied for my SS benefits in 2011 while living in Thailand. Process was done through Manila, Phillippines and started with email giving them my SSN and requesting to start process to receive benefits. They replied with email providing list of info they required and upon receipt they would schedule phone interview. I emailed back requested info and they responded with email stating date and time of scheduled phone interview along with a list of info they would need when they called. They called on date and time scheduled and after answering all the interview questions I was informed of my monthly benefit amount and starting date.

I have them direct deposit to a US bank.

[connda]

Connda I applied for my SS benefits in 2011 while living in Thailand. Process was done through Manila, Phillippines and started with email giving them my SSN and requesting to start process to receive benefits. They replied with email providing list of info they required and upon receipt they would schedule phone interview. I emailed back requested info and they responded with email stating date and time of scheduled phone interview along with a list of info they would need when they called. They called on date and time scheduled and after answering all the interview questions I was informed of my monthly benefit amount and starting date.

I have them direct deposit to a US bank.

Thanks much. That sounds very straight forward. Appreciate the reply!

[NeverSure]

Make sure SS has your current address. I haven't done what you've done so maybe this doesn't work. They sent me a form 2 months before I turned 65 last year wanting to verify current address, and giving me a choice how to make payments. I chose direct deposit.

It appears that they no longer make all payments on the 3rd of the month, if they used to. I get mine on the 8th and a friend get his on the 5th.

With my first payment, it came the 8th of the month following my birthday, and was for two months. They paid me for my birthday month, the whole month and not prorated from my actual birth date.

[chiangmaikelly]

Current address is a problem. There is no form to use to change adress. Manila does not seem to want to answer my emails about it and the on line SS says you can't change your address unless you have a US address. Plus I don't think you can really do anything on line if you live in Thailand with a Thai address. You have to go through Manila. Which was fine when I applied for SS but it seems to be a problem changing my address in Thailand.

[NeverSure]

Current address is a problem. There is no form to use to change adress. Manila does not seem to want to answer my emails about it and the on line SS says you can't change your address unless you have a US address. Plus I don't think you can really do anything on line if you live in Thailand with a Thai address. You have to go through Manila. Which was fine when I applied for SS but it seems to be a problem changing my address in Thailand.

Would this help? I dunno...

[chiangmaikelly]

It was new to me. I'll try. Thanks.

[chuckd]

I applied through Manila several years ago.

A number of original documents had to be certified by the US Embassy but you DO NOT have to pay any fees for the service as the certification is a requirement of the US government. As my memory serves me, the original documents and certified documents had to be forwarded to Manila for their verification but the originals will be returned after their verification process. I used Thai postal EMS service and the documents were delivered safely.

The SS payment to all overseas bank accounts is scheduled to be the 4th of each month, although mine is usually released on the 2nd or 3rd. The payments to US bank accounts are on some other schedule which varies according to some mystical solution a few bureaucrats dreamed up years ago. The ONLY bank that SS will recognize in Thailand is Bangkok Bank. They will not deposit funds to any other bank.

I have found Manila to be pretty responsive and have successfully changed my address several times with them using e-mails, after answering a question only I would know. I believe the question was my mother's maiden name, which they had obtained from my original birth certificate.

Good luck.

[chiangmaikelly]

I applied through Manila several years ago.

A number of original documents had to be certified by the US Embassy but you DO NOT have to pay any fees for the service as the certification is a requirement of the US government. As my memory serves me, the original documents and certified documents had to be forwarded to Manila for their verification but the originals will be returned after their verification process. I used Thai postal EMS service and the documents were delivered safely.

The SS payment to all overseas bank accounts is scheduled to be the 4th of each month, although mine is usually released on the 2nd or 3rd. The payments to US bank accounts are on some other schedule which varies according to some mystical solution a few bureaucrats dreamed up years ago. The ONLY bank that SS will recognize in Thailand is Bangkok Bank. They will not deposit funds to any other bank.

I have found Manila to be pretty responsive and have successfully changed my address several times with them using e-mails, after answering a question only I would know. I believe the question was my mother's maiden name, which they had obtained from my original birth certificate.

Good luck.

Did you use a form or just write them an email with a change of address request?

[chuckd]

I applied through Manila several years ago.

A number of original documents had to be certified by the US Embassy but you DO NOT have to pay any fees for the service as the certification is a requirement of the US government. As my memory serves me, the original documents and certified documents had to be forwarded to Manila for their verification but the originals will be returned after their verification process. I used Thai postal EMS service and the documents were delivered safely.

The SS payment to all overseas bank accounts is scheduled to be the 4th of each month, although mine is usually released on the 2nd or 3rd. The payments to US bank accounts are on some other schedule which varies according to some mystical solution a few bureaucrats dreamed up years ago. The ONLY bank that SS will recognize in Thailand is Bangkok Bank. They will not deposit funds to any other bank.

I have found Manila to be pretty responsive and have successfully changed my address several times with them using e-mails, after answering a question only I would know. I believe the question was my mother's maiden name, which they had obtained from my original birth certificate.

Good luck.

Did you use a form or just write them an email with a change of address request?

I simply sent them an e-mail, which they responded to with the question I needed to answer. This was maybe one year ago so things might have changed.

[wayned]

After requesting and receiving a package from the US embassy in Bangkok in late 2006, I completed the forms and submittted the package directly to Baltimore. I finally receveived info from Baltimore 3 months later that I had to resubmit it through Manila. I did that and receved my benefits 3 months late, but they were retroactive to my retirerment date.

One of the problems that I encountered was direct deposit into a bank account in Thailand. You must open a direct deposit account with Bangkok Bank, in your name only. You can not have ATM or internet privlidges on this account and you must withdraw the money in person, not by proxy. The first account that I had was joint and was not acceptable to BKBs agreement with the US government but the problem was rectified quickly through Manila.

You must work througfh Manila. One of the things that you must realize is that the office in Manila is a Federal government office manned by federal employees that are all Filipinos except the boss. If you have ever dealt with the beaurocracy of a US federal government office you will understand my point and I don't have to elaborate. You can begin the application process 3 months before your 62 nd birthday and you will need all of the time to get the benefits on time.

I have now been receiving direct deposits to my Bangkok Bank account every month on the 3rd, usually the friday before if its a weekend. I only had one problem that was finally rectified after 2 weeks because my case worker in Manila was on vacation and nobody took over his accounts when he was gone.

Good luck, once it's set up it seems to work!

[chuckd]

Allow me to point out one thing about the Bangkok Bank accounts.

When I set up my account some 10 years ago I had to physically appear at the bank where my account was set up and could not withdraw my funds at any other branch. I had set up my account at BKK Bank Second Road in Pattaya but had built a new home between Udorn and Loei so I was living some 660 kilometers from the bank. This meant a 1400 kilometer round trip anytime I needed to get my funds and was becoming a real burden.

Then I heard, quite by accident, that BKK Bank had changed their policy and one could withdraw from the SSA accounts at any branch in Thailand. I started withdrawing from the branch in Nong Bua Lamphu and for the past several years have done business with the BKK Bank branch in Lotus, Loei.

My point is you can withdraw your funds at any branch regardless of where your account is set up.

[chiangmaikelly]

Allow me to point out one thing about the Bangkok Bank accounts.

When I set up my account some 10 years ago I had to physically appear at the bank where my account was set up and could not withdraw my funds at any other branch. I had set up my account at BKK Bank Second Road in Pattaya but had built a new home between Udorn and Loei so I was living some 660 kilometers from the bank. This meant a 1400 kilometer round trip anytime I needed to get my funds and was becoming a real burden.

Then I heard, quite by accident, that BKK Bank had changed their policy and one could withdraw from the SSA accounts at any branch in Thailand. I started withdrawing from the branch in Nong Bua Lamphu and for the past several years have done business with the BKK Bank branch in Lotus, Loei.

My point is you can withdraw your funds at any branch regardless of where your account is set up.

It is stamped in Thai on the last page of my direct deposit bank book that I have to go to only the bank where I set up the account. The book is about a year old. I used to withdraw it at another branch until one teller looked at the last page of the book and refused to give me funds two months ago.

[qdinthailand]

In early July I applied for Social Security thru the online application. Just prior to this, I established a bank account with Bank of Bangkok for direct deposit purposes. You need this (account number, bank routing info) to complete the SS online application.

I used my Thai home address.

Someone from Manila did call me a few days later, verified some address info, asked a few other questions.

A month or so later I got a letter in the mail from the U.S. social security folks that confirmed the amount of benefits, indicated when my first direct deposit payment would be available.

Other than going to the bank, and to my mail box, I didn't have to leave home.

[chiangmaikelly]

In early July I applied for Social Security thru the online application. Just prior to this, I established a bank account with Bank of Bangkok for direct deposit purposes. You need this (account number, bank routing info) to complete the SS online application.

I used my Thai home address.

Someone from Manila did call me a few days later, verified some address info, asked a few other questions.

A month or so later I got a letter in the mail from the U.S. social security folks that confirmed the amount of benefits, indicated when my first direct deposit payment would be available.

Other than going to the bank, and to my mail box, I didn't have to leave home.

Does the last page of your bank book have stamped on it (in Thai) that you have to withdraw at the bank you opened up the account at?

[qdinthailand]

In early July I applied for Social Security thru the online application. Just prior to this, I established a bank account with Bank of Bangkok for direct deposit purposes. You need this (account number, bank routing info) to complete the SS online application.

I used my Thai home address.

Someone from Manila did call me a few days later, verified some address info, asked a few other questions.

A month or so later I got a letter in the mail from the U.S. social security folks that confirmed the amount of benefits, indicated when my first direct deposit payment would be available.

Other than going to the bank, and to my mail box, I didn't have to leave home.

Does the last page of your bank book have stamped on it (in Thai) that you have to withdraw at the bank you opened up the account at?

No it doesn't, nothing like that.

[ableguy]

Connda I applied for my SS benefits in 2011 while living in Thailand. Process was done through Manila, Phillippines and started with email giving them my SSN and requesting to start process to receive benefits. They replied with email providing list of info they required and upon receipt they would schedule phone interview. I emailed back requested info and they responded with email stating date and time of scheduled phone interview along with a list of info they would need when they called. They called on date and time scheduled and after answering all the interview questions I was informed of my monthly benefit amount and starting date.

I have them direct deposit to a US bank.

You can also have deposited into Bangkok bank head office in BKK, this I did then have them forward to my local BKK bank

[ableguy]

God bless America, do things right and they will look after you, love my country and they look after me well.

[qdinthailand]

God bless America, do things right and they will look after you, love my country and they look after me well.

If it makes you feel better, makes you believe you get good service because of the love, then bless you.

I'm not so in love with America; doesn't seem to matter.

[wayned]

When I originally set up my direct deposit account for my SSA payments in 2006, the requirement was that I could only appear in person at the branch where the account was opened. No proxy withdrawals, ATM or internet services. The requiremnet was in the info when they pulled up the account info on their computer as I tried to fool the system at another branch There was/is no stamp in my bank book. A few years ago they changed the regulation so that you could withdraw the funds at any branch. As chuckd did, I found out by accident when I called them regarding a late transfer. You should call the internaional deposits department, 022302168 or 1323, and discuss the problem of the "stamp", maybe they can correct the problem with your branch. It sounds like your branch hasn't "gotten the word" or want to "flaunt their authority". I would go to the branch and ask them to call the international deposits dept and issue you a new book without the stamp. Unfortunately the very helpful girl that I used to deal with has retired and now they are very lazy. I frequently withdraw the funds at a different branch and even on Saturday or Sunday at the branches at the malls.

[bendejo]

In early July I applied for Social Security thru the online application.

....

Just curious, how long a time was it until your eligibilty date (your birthday) ?

I turn 62 in November, and I'm trying to decide how far in advance to apply.

[kennedy]

Call Manila, they will answer any question you might have.They speak speak excellent english.

[ballbreaker]

Just curious, how long a time was it until your eligibilty date (your birthday) ?

I turn 62 in November, and I'm trying to decide how far in advance to apply.

In 2011 I applied 3 months before 62nd birthday per info on SSA website.

Remember you will receive a lower benefit by not waiting for your full benefit retirement age.

[chuckd]

Allow me to point out one thing about the Bangkok Bank accounts.

When I set up my account some 10 years ago I had to physically appear at the bank where my account was set up and could not withdraw my funds at any other branch. I had set up my account at BKK Bank Second Road in Pattaya but had built a new home between Udorn and Loei so I was living some 660 kilometers from the bank. This meant a 1400 kilometer round trip anytime I needed to get my funds and was becoming a real burden.

Then I heard, quite by accident, that BKK Bank had changed their policy and one could withdraw from the SSA accounts at any branch in Thailand. I started withdrawing from the branch in Nong Bua Lamphu and for the past several years have done business with the BKK Bank branch in Lotus, Loei.

My point is you can withdraw your funds at any branch regardless of where your account is set up.

It is stamped in Thai on the last page of my direct deposit bank book that I have to go to only the bank where I set up the account. The book is about a year old. I used to withdraw it at another branch until one teller looked at the last page of the book and refused to give me funds two months ago.

I sent you a PM with a telephone number to have the bank call. I had the same problem when I first tried to withdraw in Nong Bua Lamphu. I gave the bank manager the number and never had another problem.

One thing I have noticed is I cannot update my passbook using one of their machines. It must be updated by a teller or bank official inside the bank. This presents no problem since I receive text message confirmation from BKK Bank when a deposit is made by the SSA with the exact amount of baht that was deposited.

You guys should contact your BKK Bank and sign up for the text message service. It is a real time saver for me in the boon docks.