Thread: Social Security Claims from outside the Philippines

I live in Thailand and want to apply for SSA from here. My embassy does little to resolve my issues:

I want SSA direct deposit into a Thai bank account.

How to apply.

With what bank in Thailand? do I need to obtain this account prior to my initial filing for SSA?

Can I send or submit copies of MY passport, SS card and DD914?

I've submitted these questions to FBU.Manila[at]ssa.gov however no replys.

I'd appreciate any assistance or advice regarding this matter.

Unless something has recently changed, Thailand isn't on the list of countries for direct deposit of SS payments.

It is on the list now according to the web site for Chiang mai US Embassy.

Originally Posted by ltnt

It is on the list now according to the web site for Chiang mai US Embassy.

Then the CM Embassy is not informed.
Below is a link to the SSA main site and the list of foreign countries where you can have deposits sent. Thailand is _not_ on the list.
Your Payments When You Are Outside The United States

OP: Hang on for a bit; I expect they will answer in a day or two. I have always had very good responses from the US Embassy American Citizen Services people. FBU is a smaller operation, and may take a bit longer.

LUKDOD: Read the fine print. It says - SOME countries where you can receive.........I know you can get them here in the Philippines, but we aren't on the list you posted either.

[quote=LukDod;1931818]

Originally Posted by ltnt

Then the CM Embassy is not informed.

Imagine that...

The US Embassy in Bangkok isn't any better.
As a US citizen, you are basically on your own overseas these days.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

As a US citizen, you are basically on your own overseas these days.

Just wait until you lose your passport. You'll really get treated poorly!

The consulate here in Chiang Mai are quite helpful except for social security stuff. SS all goes through the Philippines.

^Also worth noting that the Consulate in Chiang Mai is tiny and the employees can't be expected to know everything about every topic. Regarding SS, they are probably just reading off of the last circular they got on the subject, since they don't deal with SS there.

I never queried any embassy staff when seeking info on SS. Sometimes it's trial and error but getting Federal Direct Deposits made here is 100% do-able. Everything has to go thru Bangkok Bank, NYC.

When I first went to the local Bangkok Bank branch they of course said "No can do". "Have to have Work Permit etc"

I knew that was B.S. so mosied on down to the main branch in Silom and talked to a very helpful woman who spoke perfect English and she set up the whole thing. Contacted SS in Baltimore and Manila. Then she phoned to my local BKK Bank branch and told 'em "Set it up"

Done deal...heh, should have seen the 'wai-ing' that went on when I showed up there next day!

Surely you don't rely on the socialist social security system do you B.M?
Surely you're a captain of industry who would never pay into such socialist schemes and have provided for you own retirement.
Surely.

For two years now my Coast Guard Retirement, Social Security, and VA checks all go to the Bangkok Office in New York City and on the 3rd of each month I go to the Bangkok Bank in Korat and get my money. Easy as eating apple pie. To the OP - go to the Bangkok Bank Branch where you want to do business and tell them what you want to do. They will set it up for you and then you forward the information along with your application for social security or as a follow up on it. Always get a Name and Telephone number with whom you do business - Less run around then when checking on things.

OP: To clarify some of the above comments, I do not believe any US government checks can be direct deposited into an overseas bank account - key word being directly. My USG pension check is deposited by the USG into my Citibank account in the US; it is then up to me when to transfer monies from there to my Citibank account in the Philippines. Even though Citibank Philippines is classified, both here and in the US, as a US bank, they still make you go through the extra step of depositing the check into a US bank before you can move your money abroad. All part of a system designed to punish those who don't buy into the GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH myth and choose to live elsewhere.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

I never queried any embassy staff when seeking info on SS. Sometimes it's trial and error but getting Federal Direct Deposits made here is 100% do-able. Everything has to go thru Bangkok Bank, NYC.

When I first went to the local Bangkok Bank branch they of course said "No can do". "Have to have Work Permit etc"

I knew that was B.S. so mosied on down to the main branch in Silom and talked to a very helpful woman who spoke perfect English and she set up the whole thing. Contacted SS in Baltimore and Manila. Then she phoned to my local BKK Bank branch and told 'em "Set it up"

Done deal...heh, should have seen the 'wai-ing' that went on when I showed up there next day!

You can set it up through Bangkok Bank just as Boonme outlined. I talked to the SS people in the Philipines in depth about this issue. I set up an account at a local branch and they coordinated with the main branch for me.

No thread hijack intended, but, since we're on the subject.....I am 62, thus eligible to apply for benefits. But, as I understand it, I don't get full benefits until 67 and, if I apply now, I am stuck with the amount I get paid as a 62 year old forever. Is that correct? If so, and since I don't need the money, I will just wait until I max out at 67 or whenever it is. I don't really care about the 'there won't be any money left argument' - they've been wailing that for years and it hasn't happened yet - doubt it will do so in the next 20 years. Just wondering if there is a valid reason to apply now and not to wait. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

No thread hijack intended, but, since we're on the subject.....I am 62, thus eligible to apply for benefits. But, as I understand it, I don't get full benefits until 67 and, if I apply now, I am stuck with the amount I get paid as a 62 year old forever. Is that correct? If so, and since I don't need the money, I will just wait until I max out at 67 or whenever it is. I don't really care about the 'there won't be any money left argument' - they've been wailing that for years and it hasn't happened yet - doubt it will do so in the next 20 years. Just wondering if there is a valid reason to apply now and not to wait. Thanks.

You are not correct saying you will be stuck with same amount after you go on the dole. Your monthly payment will receive a cost of living adjustment most years. The past two years they canceled because of bad economy but in 2012 it will be around 3.5 percent.

I also suggest you do a bit of math before you consider waiting till your 67 before going on the dole. Its not about the system being bankrupt before your 67 its about being alive. I opted to start receiving this year at age 62 after doing a bit of number crunching.

^Thanks.

^
That's the only rub - you have to physically show up at the bank every month to transfer the funds to an ATM account or other. With regard to waiting until age 67, I decided to take mine early too.

What the heck - the world's going to end Dec 23rd, 2012 or so according to the Mayans and other ancient prognostacations...

I am waiting because I have a job in Thailand. If you are working abroad and take SS early you risk a very severe penalty if you work more than 40 hours per month. If you are caught working more, you will lose everything.
If you don't need the money you should wait until you reach retirement age.

Well, the consensus appears to be not to wait. Humbert, I do list foreign earned income on my tax return, but it is a small amount for 'consulting'. I don't work anywhere near 40 hours a month. Is that your only reason for waiting? Based on the responses, I am going to sit down with a friend who works in the Embassy here who is a very good financial planer who has helped me out with things financial over the past 20 years or so and get his take on it. If he agrees I should do it now, I'm sure he will know someone in the SS office. Many thanks.

Since I am working full time I just want to max out my SS benefit. I cannot work if I take my benefit early. I spoke with Ivee Gomez in the RP SS office and she was helpful to my understanding of the law. They do a thorough interview with you by phone as part of the application process to ascertain your employment status.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

You will need to set up the account at a main branch of Bangkok Bank before the red tape is initialized by SS.

Do I do this prior to initial application and approval? Is the account process at BKB for this type of account on the second floor of the Silom branch as is the foreign currency bank accounts section?

Thanks, I'll be patient.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

OP: Hang on for a bit; I expect they will answer in a day or two. I have always had very good responses from the US Embassy American Citizen Services people. FBU is a smaller operation, and may take a bit longer.

LUKDOD: Read the fine print. It says - SOME countries where you can receive.........I know you can get them here in the Philippines, but we aren't on the list you posted either.

Thanks Dave, I'll keep waiting.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

I never queried any embassy staff when seeking info on SS. Sometimes it's trial and error but getting Federal Direct Deposits made here is 100% do-able. Everything has to go thru Bangkok Bank, NYC.

When I first went to the local Bangkok Bank branch they of course said "No can do". "Have to have Work Permit etc"

I knew that was B.S. so mosied on down to the main branch in Silom and talked to a very helpful woman who spoke perfect English and she set up the whole thing. Contacted SS in Baltimore and Manila. Then she phoned to my local BKK Bank branch and told 'em "Set it up"

Done deal...heh, should have seen the 'wai-ing' that went on when I showed up there next day!

I've experienced the same sort of awkwardness from local branches who explain that they have no authority to do specific bank actions unless BKB Silom gives them the go ahead.

Thanks, I'll try that, but I have to travel to Bangkok first which isn't very pleasant at this time. I may wait a month now.