Due to a form letter that the SSA claimed I never returned to their office the folks in Washington decided to suspend my Medicare benefits. Which I found odd as they had sent me 5 of the “Report to United States Social Security Administration” What they wanted to know was where I was living. I’ll assume that the word “PHILIPPINES “on my return address was no indication to them of my whereabouts.
The threat was to suspend my Medicare parts A & B, but while I’m under this suspension they will continue to collect all and any monies due. So even while out in the cold they still want my money. God love ‘em But the fact was I returned all five of the forms they had sent me, so now when I filled it out, I scanned it into my putter and just printed and signed and forward the rest as each arrived every month.
The final letter arrived and said: you Mr. Thompson are in deep doo-doo and on the outs with the POWERFUL ones, but I may avail of and submit a “Right to Appeal” if I disagree with their findings. So I download the Request for Reconsideration form number SSA-561-U2 filled it out, wrote a cover letter and reprinted the copies of the forms I’d already sent in with the proper dates and smiled as I know a secret: “He who writes it down (Or keeps copies) will always win when dealing with a Bureaucrat.” Whether you did or didn’t do it really doesn’t matter, because it’s for damn sure they did not write anything down.
Two weeks go by with no answers back from the puzzle factory in Washington DC, besides did I mention that while living in the Philippines I can not avail of Medicare?
What to do, what to do? Then it dawned on me that the last time I had a problem with the “SSA” I called the US Embassy in Manila (ext 9) and a young sounding Pinay helped me out, within minutes. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and likes her job.
So I tried it once more, the phone was answered after two ring-a-dings and within 3 minutes, count them “3” minutes she informed me that all was well, and I’m to disregard the Bad Letters I received from DC.
Again the very same young lady worked her magic and never left her desk in Manila! Those folks in DC were never going to write and tell me, for they had moved on to annoy another taxpaying citizen.
Here is an excerpt from the letter I sent them which might explain their lack of interest in me:
Your letter of February 3, 2014 stated that you can no longer pay benefits due to my non-returning of your form “Report to United States Social Security Administration” The truth is I’ve returned no less than 5 of your forms. Where they go after I mail them in the envelope your office provides I cannot speak to that. But if you would send me a few more I’ll gladly fill them out and return them to your office. While we are chatting your office has never sent me my Medicare ID Card.
So once more the peace between the Government of the United States and Paul is holding steady. Big Brother will try again, but as they have proved during the last seven years they are becoming a paper tiger, albeit a vindictive paper tiger.
Lessons learned if you receive any mail on any subject from the boys and girls in Washington, Read only the subject line, to keep you blood pressure in check, and immediately call the helpfully young Piney at the US Embassy.
Hell even if you are not an American, I’ll bet she’ll know more than those in your home country, or at least who to talk to.
Does this mean. When I move to Phil at age 57 and 5 yrs later I turn 62 I will go though this also
Anthony
When I turned 62 The Embassy in Manila helped me apply for SS, at 65 the helped me with the Medicare sign up, and last month this problem. The lady at the Embassy “ROCKS” So skip DC and go through her and you’ll sail on through without a hitch.Or until DC sends you “THE LETTER”
Anthony,
When I turned 62 in the Philippines, I went online and in about 10 minutes or so I was signed up. No hassles.Had my check direct deposited in an American bank.
No way of knowing for sure, Anthony. It seems that Paul’s letter may have gotten lost in the mail. It may or may not happen to others. But, when living abroad, expect that these kind of things happen from time to time.
Bob;
If your name is Paul, know for a fact it will happen.
Quote Smokey Robinson: “I second that emotion.” 😆
Paul;
I knew you’d understand!
The SS office here in Auburn, In open at 9 and close at 3. They lock the door around 1 so they can finish up with the customers already in there waiting. So for us who work can’t get in there to get anything done. They even have an armed security guard for what I don’t know. It’s the only place in town that has a guard.
From what you say, it might be the only place in town that really needs a guard.
The guard is there for a reason – to make sure no one goes “postal” at a Social Security Office. Can you imagine a disgruntled person going “social” at a Post Office?
John;
You make a good point
Hey Paul.
Perhaps the NSA has been spying on you and don’t like your political views. They may have intercepted your mail and put it in the circular delay file. Naw, that would never happen in a free country. Do you think I’m a bit suspicious or paranoid?
Seriously, I’m glad it all got worked out.
Hudson;
Why didn’t the NSA just tell the SSA where I was, I know they follow me on Face Book. And remember even paranoid people can have enemies.
I’ve been digging the Social Security Rules lately, I’ve learned that they only use the last 3 complete years to calculate your monthly entitlement. What’s funny is they insist that you show them your Social security card for Identification. It doesn’t even have your picture on it. This is after I showed them my drivers license and my retired military I.D. card which both have my pictures & SSN.
Edgardo;
They (Democrats) are trying to pass a bill that would require a photo, as they want a National ID Card, other Dems think somehow it would be a burden on the poor. (?) The republicans smiled and said they would vote for the bill, bit only if it had to be shown to vote in all 50 states. So we’ll see what happens with that bill.
If the GOP had there way, they would gut SS and Medicare / Medicaid.
.
David;
A democrat named L.B. Johnson gutted the SSA in 1968. I’m sorry if facts get in the way of a political comment.
I was told that the 1’300 I have on my statement now is the amount I will receive when I turn 62
Anthony;
As long as you do not stop working before age 62. If you are not paying in the amount decreases,
I can understand why they have an armed guard there. I lot of people get really pissed at the Social Security office.
David;
Last month I was one of those people until the nice lady at the embassy intervened.
Do you send the letters “Registered” Paul? I know it takes just as long (or longer) to get to USA but at least it is tracked. 🙂
Hey John – How’s it going with the house on the beach in Ilocos your Canadian friend left for you to sell? It’s been a while since you wrote that article. I remember it was a beautiful house. Did you write an update, and I may have missed it?
Hey John – How’s it going with the house on the beach in Ilocos your Canadian friend left for you to sell? It’s been a while since you wrote that article. I remember it was a beautiful house. Did you write an update, and I may have missed it?
John;
What person in DC would sign for it? The guy that screens all US government mail an anthrax?
LOL Paul, the reason why the form letters never reached DC was because you filled them out. You were supposed to accomplish them. 🙂
John;
So with the next letter I’ll read it, shout Aye-Aye Sir, them jump up and mill around smartly? (LOL),
That was a joke, Paul, in case you missed it. In the Philippines, you don’t fill out forms, you “accomplish” them. 🙂
John;
My bad, that went over my head until you pointed it out. (LOL)
But milling around smartly worked well in the Navy.
Anthony that number is an estimate. I don’t know your age but you will have a larger amount if retirement is down the road as the COLA will grow that number. If you are still working it will also increase with your earnings
Ron;
Very true mine dropped after I retired and sat home with a cold beer waiting to turn 62. But it was worth it.
i’ 53 i plan to stop when i’m 57….i’m moving to philippines when i’m 57 and a half
Anthony;
Every year you do not contribute up to age 62 it will decrease. I’m a living example as it happened. But please check with SSA don’t take my word as it might cost you money..
then you will have a higher amount when you retire.
Ron;
I think you may have mis-spoken it will not increase if you are not working.
Higher even though I stop. Working at 57?
Anthony;
It will decrease.
can you use any medicare benefits in PI?,,, I think not
Mark;
No it can’t be used here, but you’ll still pay for it.
No, you cannot.
Bob;
Wow that was a forceful response!
Paul,
Consider this an observation from someone with a lot less insight and experience as others here, since I am still here in the US and still working. My only experience has been in bringing my bride to be (now my wife) here 5 years ago and the paperwork involved for that. It dawns on me that sometime soon, if your assistance from the embassy solved your problems, that you will begin receiving letters of response, one for each response you repeated). You may even receive several of the cards you mentioned that you never received. Hope you have a birdcage at the house!!!
Joe in MI
Joe;
I hadn’t thought about it but you could be right, I may have spawned my very own monster
I only bring it up as the summary had to do with Medicare which is useless outside the home land
Back in December iI filed for my SS at the Manila Embassy and to my surprise everything went smooth with no problems. The wait time both times i was there was less then 10 mins, the staff there was very knowledgeable and helpful.
And was even more surprised when i received my first “Entitlement” within 3 weeks. They say it takes at least 2 months for them to process your claim, and i figured it being submitted half way around the world I needed to add at least an additional month or two. I think the reason why it went through that quick having a minor child here.
Can you use the Medicare Benefits in Guam?
David;
Absolutely
Yes, Guam is part of the USA.
I knew it is a US territory, didn’t know if mainland benefits are acceptable in a US territory. Thanks Bob, good to know.
Retirement ? Social Security ? I have heard of these things for most of my lifetime and in years past I always related those things to ” old people ” . For the immediate future I think I will just keep working, the thought of Social Security makes me feel older than I really want to feel. LOL
Bob;
Try going down the main deck of a ship using a walker. My father retired at 54 and passed at 86 and enjoyed his retirement more than most people that I know. I retired at 53 here in the Philippines and I feel great and relaxed. But if work is fun keep going.
yeah Bob Newyorkusa, don’t even think about that s..t until you are 65, , I will work longer than that , no choice 🙂
Guys it is no longer 65, I was born in 1947 and for me I had to wait til I was 66.
I understand that to get full benefits of SSA, you have to be 67.
think it is 65 and a half, besides probably is a good idea to keep working that long anyway
Per SSA, if your born between 1943-1954, you can receive Full Retirement at the age of 66
David; (And the rest of you guys)
Take the money at 62, because it would surly suck if you wait until age 67 and then die in a car wreck or something. Waiting for the full amount means you’ll have to live longer to get the amount you lost over those five years you waited. Do the math. (Unless you are guaranteed to live until you’re 90.)
Paul,
Your are so right. There is no way I would wait past 62 to get my SS. You never know when your day will come or if SS will even be around or benefits cutback. Retiring at 54 was the best thing I could have done. No more work or stress and I can do what I want to when I want to. One thing maybe the readers here don’t know about. If you served Active Duty for any amount of time. from 1957-2001 you are eligible for additional SS Payments of up to $1200.00
per year. You have to tell them when you file for your SS and also provide them with a copy of your DD-214 Discharge Papers. The catch is they don’t automatically give it to you (what a surprise that is). If you have already started receiving your SS Payments you can still apply for it only if you served in the Armed Forces before 1967. It’s not a huge amount, but every little bit helps. The program was phased out in 2002, but everybody that served during that period is grandfathered in. The Human Resources Dept at my former employer told me about it when I retired. Good to know I can have my SS taken care of at the Embassy.and don’t have to deal with the cluster that is Washington.
Randy;
I had never heard of that program, but since I’m also retired Military it sounds like it wouldn’t apply to me anyway.
But I stick with what I said about age 62 and collecting the money as you can’t predict the future, well I guess some can from what I read. (LOL)
Enjoy that retired life we earned it!
Randy, I pulled out my form DD-214 from safekeeping just this afternoon after I read your post. I have errands to do in Alexandria, VA, at the end of this month, at which time I’ll go pay the SSA office there a visit. It’d be interesting to hear what they have to say about this.
John;
Please let us know how it goes!!!
Will do, Paul. $100 more per month is not exactly chopped liver. I can put it to use when I visit Manila next time. I already know what I’m going to do with it. I’ll order $100 worth of to go foods from Jollibee and take it to Smoky Mountain where a lot of kids are scavenging food from garbage heaps.
John,
Looking forward to what you find out about it. My Sheriff’s Dept has known about it since 2011 and have been passing it on to new retirees since than. Hopefully it has not changed since then.
John;
That is a noteworthy goal and a real treat for the kids.
John,
I second Paul’s comment below. I would love to assist you in doing that whenever you make it to Manila. I think it would really make me feel good to be to give the kids something they would really enjoy.
Randy, I remember you saying that a while back, and I have not forgotten. I will make sure to ping you when I get there – whenever that may be LOL. Yeah, that would be something, wouldn’t it? You and me in the slum area, trying to brighten up the faces of those who go for days without eating.
I share the same concern as Anthony. I’m going over at 53. My state retirement will drop at age 62, but SSA is supposed to kick in and bring it back to where it was between 53 and 62. According to Paul’s letter I feel I too am in for one helluva ride.
Bill;
But if you’ve made the move to the PR the ride is way more fun.
what does “going over” mean ?
Mark, going over = moving to the Philippines in August 2014. Taking an Accelerated Retirement from State of Wisconsin.
ah OK,,, good luck, what island are you moving to ?
Thank you! Mindanao.
my favorite island , where I will end up some day,,,,probably in the north east part Surigao del something 🙂
Sad about Paul’s situation. Smart man though. Came out of it okay. As for me, I’m not going to worry about anything until it jumps up and punches me in the face. No sense in creating problems. I’m living each day to its fullest. I’m not sure where that is, but I’ll bet a dollar to a doughnut Bob does. 🙂
Bill;
After reading your comment above, this I know. And attitude like that will serve you well and you will adjust quicker than most to Philippine living. When it happens, deal with it. You are so very right!!!
Same thingy has happened to me 2 times now…and I only got these letters after I changed my USA address to the Philipphine address ( Mistake)….Both times I never received the form they had sent me ( About where you are living now report)… …Only the 2nd one which I sent back to them..The problem is…It takes 1 Month or a little longer for the form letter to get back to the U S ..In the mean time I got the suspension notice……..Both times I just got a hold of S/S in Manila and faxed them the Report Form and they cleared it up with 3-4 days. (seemed the suspension notice and my mail (they received it in the U S ) crissed crossed each other……..Excellent service both times….Paul why are you paying for medicare ??? …… It is no good here ………….. I cancelled mine……and receive an extra $100.00 + monthly ?????
Lenny;
My military HealthCare (The FREE MEDICAL FOR LIFE) TriCare is void if I don’t have Medicare; you know they will find a way to screw you! But calling the Embassy worked for you too, I tried it by mail with the same results you had. I took the time afterwards to send a thank you letter to the Embassy for the young lady’s helpful attitude.
Ahhh understand now that just plain sucks”””…Paul I did not contact the Embassy but the S/S in Manila office .. same courtesy … and same letter sent to Thank them
Lenny;
I want to get the girl promoted; she is everything a government employee should be and more.
I from the Netherlands , 71 yr , still working
Anton;
If that makes you happy then all the best to you.
great info from this article as it answered the questions the ss office in the usa couldn’t answer for me face to face last time I was in America which was last year.My question to usa ss was how reliable is the ph ss office and do I need to get on a plane if any issues arise or can manila take care of it and all they could tell me after asking the supervisor and others was to give me the ph address as they knew nothing outside of the usa.Its great to hear boots on the ground details.
Scott;
The folks in the US couldn’t fine Asia on a map, and possibly don’t know there is a SSA Rep in the Embassy.
For 6 months in the states and by mail for 6 months more I tried to get my wife a TIN number to declare her on my taxes. She flew to Singapore to visit my ship, We both went to the US Embassy and thirty minutes we had it, and they mailed the card within two weeks. That’s how I learned about Embassy’s .
Those who question why someone who cannot use Medicare benefits in the Philippines would still pay for them can be answered with a story about another government program. This one is “TRICARE For Life” (TFL) – the healthcare program for retired military personnel who reach and exceed age 65. A person under this program must have Medicare Part B to participate. No Part B = No TFL. So, those of us who can’t use it must buy into Medicare to protect our healthcare “benefit earned by serving a career in the military.”
Paul;
I tried to explain this above but you’ve dome a much better job.
Bill Asberry, I moved here last Aug and it has been one of my best decisions of my life. I love it here. What part are u moving to.
Luke, I”m glad it’s working out for you! That’s totally awesome. I’m moving to Davao City on Mindanao Island this August.
Boy! This one is jam packed with good information! I’ll be turning 59 when we make the jump. I see no reason to wait for the “full retirement”. I’m going for it at 62. Good to know of the fine service in the Manila Social Security office, and the program that Papa Duck mentioned bears looking into.
Take care,
Pete
Pete;
Like all internet information check it out and verify it. I get stuff wrong and I’m not the only one who does. But I also learned from the readers a couple of things that I didn’t know.
A Chief I worked with in the Navy was going to stay in the Navy for 30 and retire with 75% of his pay. I pointed out that while pushing to get that 25% that we was going to work for the next ten years at a 50% reduction of pay.
He looked confused and I pointed out that at 20 you sit under the mango tree and they mail you a check. If you dress up and go to the ship all you get is the other 50%. During those 10 years he could earn more money than that. He stayed the full thirty and can’t figure out why I live better than him.
Beautiful area
Its better if you would also mail your letter electronically to avoid gotten lost. Check this site PDFfiller where you can fill out blank form SSA-561-U2 in this link http://goo.gl/aHxjE7 and send it electronically. It works well filing forms online for me and maybe you find it useful as well. This site also has some tutorials on how to fill it out and a few related SSA forms.