Topper Applying For Social Security

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.

...as you may know, the US Embassy in bkk provides a number in Manila to call for SSA start-up. The folks there were professional and efficient about what to do...no paper work required once my information was verified. I was amazed that something involving the US government and funds due could be accomplished so quickly and easily...in the Philippines, no less. Enjoy the cash!

Yes, I know, but here in the PI, calling that number hasn't worked for me, nor has arranging a telephone interview. Perhaps times have changed.

Here's the email I got....

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This email confirms that we received your request for a benefit application. We take all benefit applications through a telephone interview appointment. Appointment schedules are on Manila time. We have documented your appointment request to protect your filing date; however, due to high demand, we currently do not have any appointments available.

We will contact you again once we have additional telephone appointment availability. If you do not hear from us within 60 days, please feel free to contact us again and we will attempt to prioritize your appointment request.


Please note that many applications are also available online at www.ssa.gov. If you wish to file an application for Retirement, Disability or Medicare, you may file your application online.

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Good man :tumbs:

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Originally Posted by Topper

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.

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Sounds like a nice plan. Though I don't quite understand how it saves a ton of money.

6 months rental in each place and one place is far cheaper than the other? :33:

I don't think those two aims are linked.

Nobody would be stupid enough to think renting two places saves money compared to renting one.

Maybe you need to take up a hobby to help with mental acuity?

Just an idea. :D

Fairy muff.


Fooker's retiring from using commas too.

Sounds good Topper, happy days and congratulations. Lets hope you can take them for all their worth!!!

Congrats Topper. Thats a nice milestone. :)

When I apply, while I had considered the PI route, it will be deposited to my US bank acct just for ease. Some of that is I want to control the Thai baht conversion for best upside. I know you are in the PI so not sure how all that works. I will wire money when I may need it here. My daughters are on the US acct so if I bite the bullet they have access to it without any tax penalty. Just felt it easier versus trying to send money back from Thailand to the US later.

Online . . .

If New Zealand isn't completely bust and still paying superannuation, and I'm still alive, six weeks prior to reaching 65 I can put in my application in-person, no facility to apply from another country.

But still worth it - I will get a percentage of their basic rate, calculated on how many months I have lived in NZ (and my time in Australia counts too) between ages 20-65.

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Originally Posted by Stumpy

it will be deposited to my US bank acct just for ease

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...that's what I did: takes care of payments that require dollars like IRS, Kindle, etc...

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Originally Posted by Edmond

Fooker's retiring from using commas too.

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Yep, fook commas, I'm retired.

What I meant is we'd keep a place here and on occasion pop over to the beach for a month or three. My earnings now will cover that so we can bank the SS.

^^^ I am not planning for any sort of pension from the UK Gov. I will be retiring in Thailand and I bet you anything they will bring in a new law at some stage to say you can't claim your pension if you don't reside in the UK. Fuckers

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Originally Posted by Bonecollector

bet you anything they will bring in a new law at some stage to say you can't claim your pension if you don't reside in the UK. Fuckers

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I very much doubt it , the more oldies who move out relieves costs, queues in NHS, housing, pressure on health and social services and they can pay lower in some places, if hmg could deport all they would, Rwanda ain't big enough tho, If they were to cut existing folks be a mass retrurn from the Costas Oz LOS USA fromm those on low/meagre pensions I think?

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Originally Posted by Topper

Yep, fook commas, I'm retired.

What I meant is we'd keep a place here and on occasion pop over to the beach for a month or three. My earnings now will cover that so we can bank the SS.

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That's the spirit Champ. Let your hair down, yep I agree fook commas,

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Originally Posted by david44

I very much doubt it

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I admire your confidence in the snakes that inhabit our parliament but you do have a point.

I am also planning, financially/ lifestyle changes, to not have to come back for NHS treatment and will hopefully be able to afford private treatment in Thailand. That is another fear I have; if you are not resident, then you don't get it for free and would have to pay some sort of fee.

My advice to anyone anywhere in the world with an opportunity and time to save that little harder for the future, do it, don't for one second rely on these idiots in government, God knows what they will do!

Sorry Topper, I'm going on a bit.

Topper enjoy kickback don't spend it all on burgers

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Originally Posted by Topper

Pretty dang exciting!!!!!!!!

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One of life's big milestones. Have fun and enjoy the fruits of your many years working toward this day.

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Originally Posted by BLD

That's the spirit Champ. Let your hair down, yep I agree fook commas,

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It could only be BLD

Well, I went to the bank to open a bank account today, oh, I was completely underwhelmed...

The PI isn't part of the International Direct Deposit system, so I had to fill out 3-4 forms for SSA to send the money to that account and guess what????

With that account there's no electronic access or ATM cards, I get to go to the bank personally to access the account, oh joy!!!!! It's also a "dollar" account so I can pick and choose when is a good time for moving my money from that account to our regular savings account.

Tonight I'll finish up my online application and see what happens.

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Originally Posted by Topper

With that account there's no electronic access or ATM cards, I get to go to the bank personally to access the account, oh joy!!!!!

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Bangkok bank until recently had the same so I didn't do SS direct deposit until this policy changed. I went through sending all the paperwork to SSA in US Embassy 4 months ago. It now is done but my experience dealing with them in Manila was far less than satisfactory. Several calls without a single success in reaching a human being and no feedback that they recieved and were processing the DD request.

In any case good luck. :)

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Originally Posted by Norton

In any case good luck.

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Thanks, I just hope it all gets processed in a reasonable amount of time.