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What should retired US expats know about SSA Form 7162 and receiving Social Security benefits while living abroad?

social securitySSA Form 7162retired expatsThailandnon-O visaimmigrationliving abroadUSA addressdirect depositproof of life form
Jun 20, 2024
5 months ago
James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Retired USA Expats: If you have a foreign address on file with the SSA, I hope you've received the yearly Form 7162, or will receive it soon. I got mine yesterday. I didn't receive one last year, was ignorant of the form, and got a shock when my monthly payment didn't show up in my Thai bank account. The Manila office graciously helped me to get back in good standing, but it took over 2 weeks for the deposit to hit my account, causing a bit of indigestion over the thought of having to renew my non-O, and start the proof of 12 monthly overseas deposits into my account all over again. If you're retired and receiving your SS benefit, and have your address registered here (or anywhere outside the USA), be sure to fill out and return your form 7162. 🙏
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Retired US expats in Thailand receiving Social Security benefits should be aware of the SSA Form 7162, which must be filled out and returned annually if they have a foreign address on file with the SSA. This form is crucial to avoid disruptions in benefit payments, and it is often sent around May or June each year. Some expats prefer to have their payments deposited into a US bank account before transferring them to Thailand to simplify the process. It's also suggested that expats send the form back via reliable mail services to ensure it reaches the SSA, as there can be issues with mail reliability. Discussions highlight the importance of keeping proof of life current, especially to prevent any halt in benefit payments.
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Regina **********
So American immigrants to Thailand?
5 months ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Regina *********
 American expats who draw SS benefits, and also have their address listed with SSA anywhere outside of the USA 😀
5 months ago
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Regina **********
@James ********
 They are immigrants to Thailand.
5 months ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
" have their address listed with SSA anywhere outside of the USA" 😀
5 months ago
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James *********
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Jack *****
my apologies if this has been asked before... my question is.... why not have a stateside bank account for direct deposit then transfer the funds to Thai bank account?? also keep an address in the states?? Navy federal credit union will do the transfers for free??
5 months ago
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Steve **********
@Jack ****
 Many do for pensions.

SS , best have them DD in your Thai bank

If you add a middleman, they all nibble on ER
5 months ago
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Steve **********
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Jay ***********
A word to the wise . My experience the past 2 years sending with tracking did not fare well . They never received it as it goes into a PO Box but tracking requires a signature . Past 2 years US mail has just lost it . My advice if you have to fill out the form here , put it in another envelope and send it tracking to a friends address and have them put a first class stamp on it and have them send it for you inside the US
5 months ago
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John ********
Not to unnecessarily hi-jack this post because there is some very valuable information contained therein but has anyone heard what our raise will be?
5 months ago
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Steve **********
@John *******
 you mean COLA, it's never out until Oct.

Every site speculates to get hits, but not official until announced

Bureau of Labor statistics calculates the CPI-w, SSA announces after end of 3rd quarter
5 months ago
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Steve **********
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Larry *******
They don’t send it every year. When they do send it you need to send it back to prove you’re not dead. ☠️ I’ve been here 4 years and received it once. Never missed a payment
5 months ago
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Jay ***********
@Larry ******
 Ive been here fully retired since 2019 . Starting getting benefits in 2020 but because of covid they just started mailing again in 2022 . So Ive had 2 experiences with mailing the letter so far
5 months ago
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Nick **********
@Larry ******
 I live in Thailand and get my S.S. direct deposit to a bank here. Every year in June I get the "I am alive" form. Got it 2 day

ago and will post it back today. Yes, it does get sent every year in my circumstance. Had a friend that forgot to send, and 6 months later, his S.S. was cut off.
5 months ago
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Nick **********
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Kenny ******************
It's the form for any U.S. Citizen living abroad and receiviing S.S. benefits, whether or not you have or have no other income or employed, change of dependents, marital status, etc. All that is on the form for you to complete and sign. One way of not having to deal with this is to have a U.S. address on file with the SSA. I have had a mail forwarding service address on file since 2016.
5 months ago
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Jocelyn ********
Does anybody know if it's the same form for receiving disability benefits?
5 months ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jocelyn *******
 It is NOT. SSA Form 7161 is the form you need to keep Disability payments on schedule.
5 months ago
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Jocelyn ********
@James ********
 thank you so much
5 months ago
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Jocelyn ********
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Vin *********
You do mot have to file that every year just because you use a non-US bank, or live outside the US.. Only some do.

It is called the 'proof of life form'.

The SSA sends them out each May for those that have to fill them out
5 months ago
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Steve **********
Thanks....didnt get form last year.
5 months ago
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Nick **********
Got mine today. Returning tomorrow by Thai Post, with tracking. Same every year!
5 months ago
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Dava ***********
I thought everyone gets one at a different time of year depending on when they filed..?
5 months ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dava **********
 I've read they all typically get mailed at the end of May, early June
5 months ago
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Dava ***********
@James ********
 oh okay, good to know. Thanks!
5 months ago
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Dava ***********
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Glenn *****
Is it something that you can initiate yourself by downloading the form, given the unreliability of the postal service?
5 months ago
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Don ******
@Glenn ****
Exactly my thoughts.

Wouldn’t it be prudent to print/sign and mail one every 8 months so they overlap?

Just to ensure SSA never stops, even if u don’t get one in the mail.
5 months ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Don *****
 I'd agree if you'd suggested to do once a year 😉.
5 months ago
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James *********
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Kenneth ***********
Form 762 is that only for American expats living in Asia ?

I live in Denmark and get direct deposit in to my danish account and dont remember seing that form, I do get one once in a while with 5 questions on which I return promptly because if I dont do that they can stop my Social Security.
5 months ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
5 months ago
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Kenneth ***********
@James ********
 yes yes form 7162, I get that one too it says on the form that if we dont return it they can withhold our Social Security.

There are only 5 questions, when I get that form I fill it out right away and send it back usually the same day with special mail.
5 months ago
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Kenneth ***********
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kenneth **********
5 months ago
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James *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kenneth **********
 As I've read in several places, SSA form 7162 is to be filled out and returned by anyone receiving benefit payments whose registered address is Not in the USA, to prevent suspension of their benefit payments.
5 months ago
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James *********
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Michael *********
That’s why you keep your deposit going to your American bank account no proof of life every year
5 months ago
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Edward *********
@Michael ********
 I do exactly that, but unless you use a US address with SS, you still have to file the form.
5 months ago
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Michael *********
@Edward ********
 yes
5 months ago
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Michael *********
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Michael *********
5 months ago
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Michael *********
5 months ago
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Sharron *******
I am having mine deposited in Us bank, then transferring it to my Thai bank acct. I am keeping a home address and bank in USA.
5 months ago
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Brandi ********
@Sharron ******
I am considering doing the same and am wondering if you use an expat mail company or virtual mailbox here in the US? I am considering my options and would rather not ask friends to take care of my mail.
5 months ago
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Roy ***********
@Brandi *******
 I use Traveling Mailbox, excellent service. They allow you to use one of several different addresses that they operate. I chose an address in Texas because it has no state tax. However, I also using a friend's house address in Texas as a backup since some financial institutions require a physical home address that is not a mailing service. Only one bank has required me to provide that physical home address
5 months ago
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Shane ************
@Roy **********
 yes I second Traveling Mailbox is great
5 months ago
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Brandi ********
@Roy **********
This is so helpful! Thank you very much. I am not sure what I will do if I have to supply a physical address since I don’t have reliable family and don’t want to ask a friend.
5 months ago
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Brandi ********
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Sharron *******
@Brandi *******
 Will be using daughters address for my meds, mail, my bank is where my daughters lives in same city. She is an officer at that bank. If I ever return that is where I would be living. Back up plan for old age..lol
5 months ago
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Sharron *******
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Roy ***********
@Sharron ******
 are you able to use your recurring transfers of 65,000+ baht for renewing annual immigration extensions? I may begin doing that next year to be replace my 800k deposit the following year
5 months ago
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Steve **********
@Roy **********
 have been using the monthly deposit ( FTT ) for 20 years, no problem, but was unaware or forgotten this form .

Have had great experience with Manila SS office, they're great
5 months ago
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Roy ***********
@Steve *********
 I understand that direct transfers from Social Security are acceptable to immigration for monthly income requirements. I'm trying to confirm if one's own monthly transfers - not direct transfers from Social Security - to a Thai bank account meet the requirements for immigration extensions. Asking because I don't want to send my Social Security payments directly to Thailand. I would rather have it go to an American bank and then make the transfers myself
5 months ago
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Steve **********
@Roy **********
 My SS is sent direct to.Bangkok Bank. Never a problem. arrives 3rd of each month like clockwork, unless a holiday, then thr 4th.

Exchange rate is at time bank receives electronically.

Your 2nd Q :

Yes any transfer from abroad to your Thai bank marked as FTT

( foreign transfer ) is equally acceptable to Immig.

Good luck
5 months ago
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Roy ***********
@Steve *********
 thank you
5 months ago
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Roy ***********
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Sharron *******
I am keeping 800k in bank and will buy a condo. It makes more sense to me to buy, then pay $600.00 or $700.00 a month rent. I have a cat, so Buying makes more sense. I will take three or four months to make sure of area in Hua Hin that I want to buy.. I do not want a house..
5 months ago
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Roy ***********
@Sharron ******
 I'm trying to confirm if your own monthly transfers - not direct transfers from social security - to your Thai bank account will meet the requirements for immigration extensions
5 months ago
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Roy ***********
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