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US social security enrollment by phone

Discussion in 'Expat Section' started by Cutie ladybug, Feb 22, 2012.

  1. Cutie ladybug

    Cutie ladybug DI Forum Adept

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    My husband called SS at US Embassy in MNL today, and they said he can enroll for his SS (not disability SS) via phone. They will call him back second week of March.

    I don't recall seeing this mentioned on DI, so I thought I'd alert anyone approaching registration age.

    No trip to MNL required!
     
  2. Dave & Imp

    Dave & Imp DI Forum Patron Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

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    I visited SS in Cebu on Thursday, their second day in Cebu. They said we were lucky as there was a large group on Wednesday. The experience was less than a half hour long.

    When asked how long I was in the Philippines, I said late September. The fellow immediately did a change of address for me, which seems nice but then mentioned that I would be back billed for any Medicare Plan b charges ($115.00 a month), since my arrival. The State of California had been paying my $115 monthly fee. I asked if there were any benefits I would get while I was here, and he said "no". He said that there is no foreign provided benefits. He also said I could cancel, but I could only re-enroll at the first quarter of each year, and coverage would not start until July. It does seem a little funny that now I am paving for something because I am out of the US but get no benefits because I am out of the US.

    Has anyone had experience in this area with SS? If I change my SS address to here, will I still be liable for California Sate taxes? There seems to be a lot issues going on. I mentioned that I never get mail from the us, (I presently have permanent address in Lake Tahoe, California) as I have no street number, but he assured me I would get my mail but it would be slow. I am not sure whether he was being helpful or trying to recover payments from me by changing my address. Obviously I needed to know more about the system before allowing them to start making changes for me.

    He also said I could have my money directly deposited in the banks here by getting a SF1199 form here at one of the large banks. I chose not to do that because I still have my US banking relationships in place.
     
  3. Steve4910

    Steve4910 DI Member

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    I want to advise you that if you cancel your Medicare B, You will have to pay a 10% penalty fee later on if you later decide to re-enroll. The 10% penalty goes up every 12 months that you do not have Medicare B. For example if you decide to re-enroll 5 years later it will cost you 50% plus the normal monthly fee that you pay. This penalty is permanent and not a one time fee, it will remain until the rest of your life so think this over very carefully before you do it.

    Another example, if you wait 10 years and decide to re-enroll it will be a 100% penalty plus the normal fee. Lets assume that Medicare B cost $100 dollars every month for the next 10 years, you will have to pay the normal $100 plus another $100 if you re-enroll 10 years later. I was thinking the same thing of getting an extra $100 dollars put back on my Social Security disability pension, but decided not to do it just in case I have a medical emergency and have to fly to Hawaii or Guam. I had to dig for this information because if you don't ask, they will not tell you.

    I called up the Social Secuirty office at the American embassy in Manila and a Filipina told about the 10% fee, but what she didn't know was that this 10% penalty goes up every 12 months while you are not covered. I checked on the U.S. Social Security web page plus I called Baltimore, Maryland office and they confirmed it. I hope this helps you buddy. One last thing, if you get direct deposit to a Philippine bank, your money will come on the 4th instead of the 3rd, and the bank will not be allowed to give you an ATM card because they want to avoid fraud. It's better to keep your direct deposit in a U.S. bank and you will get your money on time on the 3rd plus you can use your U.S. ATM card. Another thing, the visa debit cards in the Philippines do not have a security code on the back of your card so ordering from Amazon.com will be impossible without that security code.
     
  4. Rhoody

    Rhoody DI Forum Luminary

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    Union Bank has the 3 digit security code on their Visa debit card (eon account). Never had an issue, ordering from online services
     
  5. Steve4910

    Steve4910 DI Member

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    Your welcome devildog4, I wanted to add that even if you register to the American embassy in Manila at the Social Security office, since Medicare is a different government agency they can't send you a replacement Medicare card outside the United States if you lose your card. You will need to maintain a U.S. address to get a new Medicare card. It would be wise to request another Medicare card in the United States before you leave and when you arrive in the Philippines put it into a safety deposit box in a Philippine bank. Philippine-American lobbyist Eric LaChica is on Guam had a meeting with island leaders seeking their support for the soon to be introduced "Medicare-Portability" Act. Congresswoman Madeline Bordallo is one of the co-sponsors of the legislation. They will have a decision on the Bill by December, 2012 If the Bill passes then Medicare will be allowed in the Philippines only at 4 hospitals in the Philippines. One of them will be in Cebu.
     
  6. Steve4910

    Steve4910 DI Member

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    Thanks Rhoody, I didn't know that. I thought it was all the Philippine Banks.
     
  7. Dave & Imp

    Dave & Imp DI Forum Patron Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer

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    Thanks for all the great information. I felt a little like even the social security changed of my address very fast then told me the consequences of the act. I prefer to keep my address in the US as many of you mentioned.

    I followed Rhoody suggestion on the "Paypal" thread and signed up at Union Bank, and yes my card does have the three digit security code on the back. I did notice that all three banks I spoke with PNB, BDO and Union bank had seemly different answer to the same question on different days. My last expericnce was confirmed by another expat, who had also been also been told by BDO that they could not open a dollar account until they had a peso account for 6 months. When I received a substantial amount of money through Xoom and picked it up at BDO. I mentioned that I could not open a dollar account, but they said that I could, so I did. After taking back the US $100 bills to open an account. They handed me a passbook, and told me "Oh, you can not remove the money for 7 banking days..." d*mn...I was cash broke again...hahahah. Seems like you really have to know all the consequences of your actions here, and do not get much advice except here on the forum.

    I have learned when you get the answer you want, do not hesitate as tomorrows answer will be different. I am not an idiot, just naive in many areas but learning.
     
  8. Steve4910

    Steve4910 DI Member

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    I will never give up my direct deposit in a U.S. bank, however I would consider using a Philippine bank or safety deposit box to keep emergency money on hand. Many times I have seen expats run into an emergency and didn't have a back up plan regarding their money. A friend of mine got into an argument with his filipina wife and she took his check books and ATM card then she moved back into her parents house. My friend contacted his bank to cancel everything and have them re-issue new checks and a ATM card. His bank in the U.S. said it will take them atleast 3 or 4 weeks to get him replacements. He didn't have enough money on hand for his basic needs to last him for the month. He was forced to sell his beat up volkswagan beetle in order to survive. He was lucky to get $500 bucks for that piece of junk. Never again will I put myself into that situation he said and will have 2 or 3 back up plans.
     
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