A couple of nights ago I started my social security application online. You can only do that during the daytime in the US, apparently.
You can go through ssa.gov and just follow the instructions, however there's a letter you need to open a bank account here in the Philippines in order to receive your SS benefits.
It's form SSA-7162
Oddly enough, I've not opened a bank account in my name, I've been having my wages from my online teaching deposited in my wife's account, so next Friday, it's off to BDO with my letter, IDs and some cash in hand to open a bank account in my very own name.
Pretty dang exciting!!!!!!!! Hopefully, I'll be able to start getting a deposit from Uncle Sam in July.
Our long term plan is to rent a place here in Bacolod and a place on Bantayan and spend a portion of the year in both places and save a ton of money.