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  1. #26
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    See next post. Sometimes when I post it won't let me save and edit.

  2. #27
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    Luckily when I moved here,my wife and I opened an account with Bangkok Bank. I got paperwork from them last week to set up direct deposit and will turn that in when they open in another day. I see on it where it sayd SS will be informed and can set up direct deposit through their New York branch. They charge $5. I've been waiting to hear back from Manila after a few emails,but I'm going to try and call tuesday.Hopefully yhey're open. I already sent in paperwork to their maryland branch, but afterwards noticed they didn't respond anymore because it's now in manila's hands, so I'll be sending copies to them (unless they say otherwise on the phone). I understand SS can obtain any documents they need anyway.

  3. #28
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fredwiggy View Post
    but I'm going to try and call tuesday.Hopefully yhey're open.
    ...on NYD? Unlikely...

  4. #29
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    Was just going to edit that lol

  5. #30
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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  6. #31
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    I received an email from Manila,asking if I had a pending application in the states. I told her that I applied originally on the SS site,which is in the US,but then it was forwarded to Manila,who handles our applications when we live here. She asked me to forward the original email,where they asked for my current address. I don't understand why,seeing that it showed being processed in Manila,that they don't have my information. Does this happen, or only to me?

  7. #32
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...only to you...now, please put your SSA worries aside and enjoy the holiday...you'll have the rest of the week to devote to bureaucracy...

  8. #33
    The Fool on the Hill bowie's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rickschoppers View Post
    With regard to using Bangkok Bank for direct deposit, there is a branch in New York but they require that you already have an existing Bank of Bangkok account. When I first looked into this, I was living in Udon Thani and the main branch I went into said I could not open an account. Things may have changed by now since I am reading other members have opened accounts. Once you have a B of B account, I believe you can set up a wire transfer online from account to account within B of B without having to pay a high fee. I would be interested in hearing if anyone has succeeded with this approach since I currently pay $40 for every international wire transfer I make and have been doing so for the past 14 years.

    A few years ago, 2014/15 I spoke to the general manager of the Bangkok Bank New York branch. My intention was to open an account with them.

    Presented to me in heavily Thai accented English was that the New York Branch is a “commercial” branch and you cannot open an account through or with the New York branch. You must open an account with a Bangkok Bank branch in Thailand.

    Then, you use the Bangkok Bank’s commercial New York Branch as a clearing house to transfer funds from any US financial institution to the New York branch (a “domestic” transfer). So, domestic transfer rates apply – a savings over an international transfer rate.

    Personally, I’ve been transferring funds (USD) from a brokerage house in the USA to my Bangkok Bank account (opened at the Silom headquarters branch) through the commercial Bangkok Bank’s New York Branch (I use my Silom Account number and the New York branches address and routing number).

    I see the deposit as THB. I do not know the exact “transfer fee”, but, I am pleased with the amount of THB I receive versus the amount of USD debited by the brokerage account. Seems I’m getting a reasonable exchange rate, within about THB 0.1 of the posted rate. (reasonable but not exceptional) However, it works for me.

    Face it, they are a financial institution and will get their money either through transfer fees, account fees, exchange rates, or any other euphemism they choose to use.

  9. #34
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    USD 5 to NY and .25% to Bangkok (min 200 baht, max 500 baht) then the TT rate. The problem I found was the slowness compared to wires and the $2,000 USD limit.

  10. #35
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    Well, called today, 2 different numbers, the normal one and the agent who replied to my email's one, and all I got was a recorded message asking me to leave a message.It's now 1 month since I applied on the official USA website, and was forwarded to Manila. I emailed them again. Same reply, we will get back to you in 5 days. When you really need something, this seems how things happen. I called using my phone.I put minutes on the phone and byt the time I left a message, the minutes ran out. I can't use Skype because I have Bangkok Bank and no credit card because you can't have a card when you have direct deposit, or so I've been told. Came back to edit. Called again,the woman who emailed me,still no answer. Called the main number, said call back Tuesday and Thursday. Today's thursday as far as I know. Do the Phillipines have a holiday or maybe by chance the embassy is closed because of the typhoon?
    Last edited by fredwiggy; 03-01-2019 at 02:54 PM.

  11. #36
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    6 days and a total of 24 emails and 5 calls later, the only thing I get is leave a message and we'll get back to you in 5 business days(email responses). Seems like someone in Manila doesn't have a grip on their job title and maybe doesn't understand english well enough to actually finish processing an application.

  12. #37
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...have the 5 business days expired?...

  13. #38
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    Since the first email, 4 times

  14. #39
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    ...I wonder if the current gov't shutdown has anything to do with apparent Flippy sloth...

  15. #40
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    I'm going to call again tomorrow. If they don't answer I think I'll get a lawyer and they might have to pay a lot more, and a job position might be open soon.

  16. #41
    Thailand Expat jabir's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fredwiggy View Post
    I'm going to call again tomorrow. If they don't answer I think I'll get a lawyer and they might have to pay a lot more, and a job position might be open soon.
    Hmm, I do hope you don't really think that!

  17. #42
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    Nah, just peeved, actually the app was finally received in Manila friday,the US was responsible for the delay.I should get payments in another month, and now have to get my daughter a SS# by getting her passport in Ubon, sending a fee and some paperwork to BKK embassy,getting an appointment, getting a consular letter and then sending that paperwork back to Manila,who'll send it back to the US,who will approve application after another month or so,and then I'll get the credit for a child. Maybe by April or May

  18. #43
    The Fool on the Hill bowie's Avatar
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    So, Fred, now that the fire has been put out and action has been taken on your application, what is your opinion of the PI's office response?

    Keeping in mind the holiday shut down and the fact that "the US was responsible for the delay".

    Were you satisfied with the PI Officers actions? Any hints or lessons learned you can pass on?

  19. #44
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    She did her job fine,and offered suggestions to expedite the credit for my daughter. Paperwork,passport,sending to embassy,waiting for appointment,securing consular letter,sending paperwork to manila, they send to US,waiting for their approval so I can have credit. She did her job fine.

  20. #45
    Thailand Expat Storekeeper's Avatar
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    Bumping this for reference as I’m about to turn 62 in four months.

    Quote Originally Posted by bowie View Post
    Fred – thanks for opening this thread. Interesting to me, I’ll be applying in a couple of years.
    Below is the stuff from the Bangkok Embassy website. Pretty sure you have it all already. Anyway, in your shoes I would be calling and asking for status. Squeaky wheel and grease. Tel: (+ 63 2) 301-2000 ext. 9

    Social Security - U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Thailand

    Effective October 1, 2017, all inquiries or questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA) have been centralized to SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU).

    If you are living in Thailand, you MUST contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines directly.
    The SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines is the regional office for East-Asia Pacific countries.
    EAP Regional SSA Contact information:

    Social Security Administration
    U.S. Embassy Manila
    1201 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita
    Manila, Philippines 0930
    Tel: (+ 63 2) 301-2000 ext. 9
    Fax: (+ 63 2)708-9723/ (+63 2)708-9714
    E-mail: FBU.manila@ssa.gov
    https://ph.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen...cial-security/

    Apply for Benefits Online
    You can apply for the following benefits online:
    1. Retirement at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/
    2. Disability at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability
    3. Medicare Only at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/

    At this time, no other online services are available outside the United States.

    The online hours of operation are:
    • Weekdays 5:00 AM – 1:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST)
    • Saturday 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM EST
    • Sunday 8:00 AM – 11:30 PM EST
    • Holidays 5:00 AM – 1:00 AM EST

    To submit a Social Security application while you are abroad, please visit SSA’s webpage Service Around the World or visit www.ssa.gov for more Social Security information.

  21. #46
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    ^ Check to see the difference between taking the payments at 62 versus waiting until later. If you wait until 70, you will have a much bigger payment each month.

    You will still need to sign up for Medicare if there is any chance at all you will be needing it in the future.

  22. #47
    Thailand Expat Storekeeper's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    ^ Check to see the difference between taking the payments at 62 versus waiting until later. If you wait until 70, you will have a much bigger payment each month.

    You will still need to sign up for Medicare if there is any chance at all you will be needing it in the future.
    Thanks. All considered. I may put it off until 62 years and 9 months because I like the # at that point. But won’t be delaying any further.

    Understand about MEDICARE. Main thing for me is I have to take it to retain my military TRICARE benefits. ((Thanks to Slick Willy).

    By the way, did you know a US citizen wife can start drawing “spousal benefits” on her husband’s social security record at age 62 with no work history? And then if she outlives the spouse it becomes “widow benefits” if she outlives him?

  23. #48
    Making people dance. :-)
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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    taking the payments at 62 versus waiting until later. If you wait until 70, you will have a much bigger payment each month.
    If taking it at 62 and banking each monthly payment for 8 years in a high interest saving account (har har), is that amount less than the extra you would get from age 70, to say 80? (after which is there probably less need for extra money, if one is still awake)

  24. #49
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    ^ Check to see the difference between taking the payments at 62 versus waiting until later. If you wait until 70, you will have a much bigger payment each month.
    Every so often I’ll get a notice from SS showing me how much money I’ll get at certain ages. I’m waiting.

    Quote Originally Posted by Storekeeper View Post
    By the way, did you know a US citizen wife can start drawing “spousal benefits” on her husband’s social security record at age 62 with no work history? And then if she outlives the spouse it becomes “widow benefits” if she outlives him?
    I received benefits after my father passed away. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10085.pdf

  25. #50
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Storekeeper View Post

    By the way, did you know a US citizen wife can start drawing “spousal benefits” on her husband’s social security record at age 62 with no work history? And then if she outlives the spouse it becomes “widow benefits” if she outlives him?
    Yes, I know about the spousal benefits but there is a caveat. The wife must have lived in the USA for several years. I can’t remember if it is 5 or 10 years. She can still get a one time payout for a widow without living in the US of A but it doesn’t amount but to a few hundred dollars. Even that will be withheld if the final SS check was cashed before the SS account holder dies.

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