Answered8 months ago
What are the advantages and disadvantages of notifying U.S. Social Security about moving to Thailand?
I realize this isn't visa related, but can anyone dealing with U.S. Social Security share with me any advantages/disadvantages of telling them of moving to Thailand and subsequently going through their Philippines office for everything. Do they then insist on depositing my money in the Thai bank, are there other considerations. At the moment I plan on using a Mailboxes USA box and their address.
Answer summary
The discussion revolves around maintaining U.S. Social Security benefits while living in Thailand, including the implications of declaring a Thai residence. Many contributors emphasize the importance of using a U.S. bank account for direct deposits and suggest minimizing international transfers to save on fees. Others mention that U.S. Social Security expects recipients living abroad to update their address annually and provide proof of life. There are mixed perspectives on whether to inform the Social Security Administration of a Thai residence, with some suggesting that maintaining a U.S. address simplifies matters.
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Todd ********
If you are overseas, the SSA will periodically send you a form (Form 7162) you fill out to confirm your address. If you can't receive that letter, you can't confirm your address, and that can get your benefits suspended until you take care of it. I've heard that this will change soon, so don't take my word here. Do a little Googling (or goo a little doodling) on your own.
Charles *********
@Todd *******
That happened to me when i was loving in the Philippines.My benifits were suspended.,until i sent them a corrected address.William *******
Retired American expat living in Thailand. Both my SS, and IRS addresses are in Thailand . I have no US phone number, or address. My SS is deposited in my Bangkok Bank account on the 3rd of every month. Bangkok Bank is the only Thai bank that the SS will direct deposit in for Thailand.
Charles *********
William Sloan you can have SS directly deposited in at four major thai banks,mine,Kasikorn . Also have no US phone number,use messenger,no US residence.Do have IRS address here to Thailand.Let SS do the work.
Missy ********
William Sloan that's not true. My monthly DD goes to Siam Bank
William *******
Straight from Social Security ?
Charles *********
If you establish residency in Thailand,SS will require direct deposit here in Thailand.You get the best rate,atm- mid market rate,deposited in baht.Keep international transfers to a minimum.Kasikorn Bank is very good.180 days is residency.if you don't stay that long in Thailand yearly,then keep your accounts in USA.To get long term visa in Thailand you will need 800k thb. Balance .get visa before coming so that you can open account here and transfer 800k.
Terry ********
Charles Bennett SSA will transfer to your bank in the USA if you have one.
Charles *********
Terry Shurts i like getting the monthly deposit here in baht.automatic with mid market rate.if you use Thai Banks for foreign exchange they will charge you for bringing in,taking it out,tax you now.transferring monthly expenses is not worth the hassle.
Charles *********
Who gives you the prove of live?US consulate, embassy?
Cary *******
OPCharles Bennett Social Security apparently.
Margarita *********
Charles Bennett I get direct deposit to my US bank, receive a prove of live yearly to my Thai residence. I transfer money to my local bank when is needed. It works for me
Charles *********
Margarita Miranda
Charles *********
Margarita Miranda
Charles *********
With social security they expect you to live in the US at least 180 days a year.A valid address is murky if you aren't there.You cannot stay in Thailand long term without a non immigrant O visa.You can't extend that visa without
*****
0 baht in a thai bank.Yes,you could send your Social Security deposits to your US Bank and they may be ok that, but you can't stay in Thailand long term without the money in a thai bank.
Jake *********
What absolute rubbish…
Terry ********
Charles Bennett where do you get these ideas? There is no requirement for you to stay in the USA at all.
Charles *********
Terry Shurts I meant to say if you are a resident of Thailand Social Security expects you to inform them of your address once a year,usually before February,as that is the apparent time they see if addresses are updated.I didn't say SS expects you to live in the USA.They do expect a updated address each year especially if you live abroad.
Dennis *********
Charles Bennett I'm not sure that is correct. As long as you maintain a valid us address and bank account, and they're aware you reside in Thailand, they don't care where it's deposited.
Charles *********
Dennis Starkey
John *********
Keep your US bank account and have your SS check direct deposited there. Then set up a periodic transfer to your Thai bank.
Cary *******
OPJohn Nielson That's what I'm planning.
Edgar ******
Having someone “in charge” (with a morning boner) of my ss monthly payments “it don’t” set right with me …I’ll sleep better with Ms WISE.
Marty *********
I have a US bank account. My SS benefits are deposited to my US bank account. I gave my Thai address to the FBU in Manila. I get my proof of life letter delivered to my Thai address. When I change address I inform the FBU in Manila. They have always been responsive.
I don’t know about advantages/disadvantages. It is just how I set it up and have had no reason to change.
My US address is my sister’s address.
You want to set up your My Social Security account on the SS website and get an ID.me password for access abroad.
I don’t know about advantages/disadvantages. It is just how I set it up and have had no reason to change.
My US address is my sister’s address.
You want to set up your My Social Security account on the SS website and get an ID.me password for access abroad.
Catrina *****************
My daddy lived in Thai land 40+ yrs. He deposited into his U.S. bank account and moved as needed
Todd ********
Probably best to keep the SS in a US bank and transfer at your convenience when exchange rates are favorable. Using Wise works great. No need to tell them where you will be from time to time…keep it simple.
Charles *********
Todd Capron best is use SS security direct deposit for monthly living expenses here.I keep a Schwab Global account for everything else in America.
Dan ********
Depends on if you are totally leaving the US or not. I maintain my US residency and citizenship so I leave it with the US.
Michael *******
I see the advantages (for me) of maintaining a US bank account, US cell phone and US address, while living in Thailand. Others do not, but this approach makes it easy for me to transfer funds to my Krungthai bank account, using those funds to live on…..one perspective only…not necessarily the model for anyone else..
John ********
Michael Clark Same. I live in Chiang Mai. Canadian Bank, Canadian phone, Canadian mailing address.I do have all in Thailand also. I do not want to cut all my ties. I do not think it wise to put all your money in a forign bank. I transfer what I need here.
John *******
If u lie to SS about your place of residence, you could lose it period.
Richard **************
John Foose SS doesn’t care where you live, and will send your benefit wherever you happen to be.
John *******
Richard Allen Jones I know that. If you reside in Thailand u must give them your address. Otherwise u are cheating. I get a proof of life form each year to pretty much let them know that I am alive.
Todd ********
John Foose you can keep a USA address for all business related.
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