My Social Security Nightmare/ What I learned in Manila Embassy 

I love how determined your wife was to get it done and not let them give her the government run around! She is an awesome lady!

I've lived in Vietnam almost 20 years, been on SS since 2014. I don't get mail and only know when my SS has been suspended when it doesn't drop in my bank. Manila is my closest office where I filed for my initial benefits and where I send my SSA-7162 Proof of Life for continuation of benefits. I only email the office with the latest edition of the form completed and mail them the original. I get immediately back on schedule after the email. I can't say enough about the good service I've received from the Manila office.

I signed up for my SS with the embassy in Manila, did a 10 minute phone interview and mailed them the required documents via courier. I was not required to go Manila. Very painless process for me.

Hi Monty, a really important video for your viewers. I’m so sorry you were not processed and treated accordingly at the Social Security office. Congratulations on finally accomplishing it.

Thank you for sharing and subjecting yourself to mean comments. You will help make people more aware of how complex some things can get. My mom's birthday is September and my grandsons! Good folks born in September!

Monty, I just started viewing your Social Security blog and have my experience to share with that may help you and your family. My Filipina wife and I live in Moncada, Tarlac, Luzon. When I was 64, we went to the USEmbassy to check on getting my social security. Please note, neither my wife nor my stepchildren were US citizens nor did they have the US green card at that time. I spoke with a gentleman there and was told not only I could get my SS started, but my 2 children under 18 could get SS also. Within 2 months both my SS and their SS checks started coming. Now all have green cards and we have a home in Texas plus the farm in Moncada. While here in Texas, my older stepson turned 18 and we went to the SS office in Temple, Tx to let them know his age and to make sure his check stopped coming. The lady in that office explained that now since the older stepson was 18 and I still had a stepson 13, his Mother could still receive that SS amount that had been going to the older stepson until the younger stepson turns 16. So we did that and my wife and younger stepson both received SS checks until he turned 16. At that point, her check stopped and his check increased an additional 50%. Being US citizens was not relevant. I was the stepfather proven by our marriage certificate (married in Manila). I provided the home and 100 percent support, documented. That was all I needed to show. We will be back in Moncada hopefully January 2024 to start construction of a church on our farm. If I can be of any assistance to you, you can contact me via Messenger (Robert Duplissey)

It’s crazy how fast you get your money taken from you while you’re working… then when you want the money you earned back for working, you have to experience all these hoops to jump through just to access it.. 🤦‍♂️

Our son was born in Cavite City in 1967 after my seperation from the Navy. The U.S. Embassy appointed official (a USA citizen) failed to tell my wife that we needed to get a certificate of live birth for our son. Be sure you get that form. If you do not there will be times in the future that your daughter will have trouble with USA immigration. George Jr., now 56 and a Navy vet himself, has had times that not having that document caused delays. Through much hard fought trials and many calls to DC he finally got what should have been filled out by the Embassy in Manila.

i hope that you get your first check soon. im disabled and i dont even want to tell about that story. Good luck Monty

Sorry to hear about your trials and tribulations Monty. I appreciate you sharing with us as this is important for many US Expats living in the Philippines. I wish you the longest life in the PI and I'm sending good thoughts your way!

This is not a Social Security nightmare, this is a personal mailbox organization failure, Nightmare. Mail shuffling between friends and mailboxes…. This is fixable from the client side perspective, SSA don’t care.

Sorry that you had to go through all that trouble. I actually applied for and started getting my social security benefits while I was living in the Philippines. No trouble at all. I was 62 years old. The Social Security Department at the US Embassy communicated with me when it was approved and completed my application. It was very smooth

Hi Monty!...you explained this very well.I'm sure a lot of people appreciate all this information. Thanks.🇨🇦

In the UK. I had to wait till i was 67 years old. Not allowed to retire early. Even if you have worked 50 years. Hope everything works out for you and your family. You seem a decent Guy Monty

I'm glad you finally got it done Monty. We are doing ours here in the States. By the time we move to the Philippines next year we should both have received our SS for a couple of months before heading there.

Hi Monty, enjoyed your story. Yes Manila still has a social security office as most countries do not. The letter that states your still alive doesn't that come special courier which is cheap from the embassy. Not the mail service. You pay for it but it was really cheap to get things from Manila to Cebu. Had it done a few times. So should not be a problem. We were lucky as they were still doing new child USA citizenships handled in Cebu Consulate. My son is 8 now. They ended that you can only apply in the US embassy in Manila and they can request a DNA test now. My son has that birth abroad and US passport plus we just renewed it at the Cebu city consulate as they still do that there. Still the passport came special courier from Manila US embassy. The social security Manila used to come to Cebu Consulate every so often before COVID so it use to help out a lot. That was also how I applied for son SS card. But nowadays I am not sure. You go to website Manila Website and get the read out of what is going on. By law you child can get the extra money that actually was in the original SS act. I do not live there so cannot claim him unless by law he is with me 6 months out of the year here in US. Getting my wife here is next to impossible unless I was well off financial and working. I am retired too. I own a house in Moalboal for now so for now it okay with both of us. Good luck with your payments. Medicare is another thing coming you will have to deal with. Not sure about that.

Just a suggestion, monitor everything related to this online, i would also some form of internet security like Norton to help protect your information. I had a SSI issue that took 6 month to clear up so I would start building an emergency fund to at least cover the basic need for a few months should you have any issues. When it clear up I received a nice check for the back pay. Good Luck Monte, you do a great job of ignoring the haters.

I was in Dumaguete when COVID lockdowns separated my wife and I in 2020. We ended up returning to the USA just in time for me to files SS, I'd read up on the nightmare of paperwork and having a still alive letter every year. Getting ready to apply for a 13A visa next year so I can go back to Dumaguete for 6 months a year while my wife still has 8 more years to reach 62 and collect SS... We are too old to have children now, but support kids in the family. I'd heard about collecting for children from a non-expat that married a younger wife and had a 12 Y/O kid when he started getting SS, I think the kid gets around half. May God provide an easy path for your paperwork to go smoothly.

Happy TODAY from Columbus Ohio USA. I was recently in Quezon City to meet my Filipina Fiancee after 3 years online relationship. We were married in in May and now we are waiting for the Visa application process. I appreciate your videos. We have different challenges but I can relate to your point of view. My social security and VA Pensions are already direct deposited into my credit union account and I always keep them updated when I am in the Philippines. I do all my contacts with SSA online so I am hoping no face to face interview is required as far as updating residency status...I am a Army veteran. I was unable to get an appointment with the VA Medical Center in Manila during my last visit. But I am hoping for access when I return in February. Again..THANKS for your channel and your advice and suggestions

Quick correction Monty, now all are US citizens but the Social Security experience was during the time before they had green cards, after the green cards and now my youngest (who became a US citizen instantly when his mother became a US citizen) just turned 18. Your baby should automatically be a US citizen since you are the birth father.

I’m praying for you and your family . Glad I did mine in states

Hire a lawyer in the same town of the social security,have him go to their office in your stead

That's good information about social security and kids ( you never know) all the best to the Motely CREW, hopefully works out well for you and yours 👍

Thanks Monty… I’m glad you’re wife spoke up… I will keep you in my prayers….

Monty, I am glad things are working out. I have been to the consulate in Cebu City to renew my passport. I agree. The consulate will deal with "citizenship" of foreigner children but, not social security. Will you need to submit DNA for your daughter's citizenship? Regarding the "proof of life" letter. Correct me if I am wrong but, I don't think anyone has to file that unless you are under the threshold. Filing Status Taxpayer age at the end of 2022 A taxpayer must file a return if their gross income was at least: single under 65 $12,950 single 65 or older $14,700 head of household under 65 $19,400 head of household 65 or older $21,150 If your income is under the income threshold for filing, then they will want that proof of life letter. I am over the threshold and file every year. I don't get notified for a proof of life letter. I guess they know I am alive if I pay the IRS every year.

Thank you so much for posting this video. I plan to retire on Social Security next year in Parang Maguindanao. This information is invaluable to me. Thank you again.

G'day Monty, happy to see you came through this night mare. Big shout out to Paul, old dog & your smart wife. Cheers 🍻

I was able to get my daughter her CRBA within 6 months of her birth using snail mail and online with my wife doing all the leg work in Manila. It should be your #1 priority. No More Procrastinating!

As an Australian I think our system is more user friendly. The requirement is to reside in Australia when applying for the Age Pension, and once it's approved just tell the department you are moving overseas and they adjust the pension down (no prescription drugs benefit or rent allowance if you live outside the country). Then that's the end of the story. The initial application can take several months to be approved though. It's a bitch no matter where you're from. The fact is most governments don't want their citizens living overseas. They prefer their senior citizens live in poverty in their home country rather than have a great life in a cheaper overseas country.

The retroactive bit was certainly worth listening for. Thanks and good luck!

Very hard! This is cautionary tale about getting it all done in the US before moving. Got to have first, second and third plan. Best of luck and hope all get resolved soon

Hey Monty, thanks for sharing your social security journey 👍 I am glad you have a good wife to lean on. Hopefully 🙏 your check will arrive soon! Best wishes

I learned a lot living here in Thailand about dealing with, or filing for Social Security in Manila. First, if you can, before leaving the states file. Use a family member or a good friends address for mailing. This is more reliable. These virtual mailbox are a joke. Do not do it online. Physically go to the office. Try and do everything in person. I know many people will say. Oh I did it with no problems. Good for them. It took 8 months for me to get my first check. And I ended up using my Congressman to file a Federal inquiry to get it. I learned that the Manila office can only send request for payment. It is still up to the main office in Mayland to forward the request to the payment center. I called Manila 27 times. Emails take up to 2 weeks before you get a reply. Even then, the reply does not answer the question. I am not the only one here who has experienced this. So do yourself a huge favour and try to do everything BEFORE leaving the states. This includes any banking information SS might need.

This kind of case is appropriate for a GoFundMe to get this man to the US to handle this matter. All expenses paid.

Hi!!! Monty I'm with you... it's really bad to get to US SSS embassy in manila horrible they have Filipino workers that doesn't care about US citizen's need for social security pension I don't quite understand why US embassy hires this people that doesn't know about the US SSS system for seniors infact it's impossible to get through the by calling US SSS number no answers when you call the number listed on their sites line is always busy... it's better to go back to the US SSS and processed your SSS problems. I filed for dis ability it's been more than a year never heard from the SSS manila so I'm out of luck I will go back to the US to processed my papers again, back to square one, I agreed with you and understand your frustrations likewise I been through it as well very very upsetting you run out of patience from this people God Bless you and your family Monty... 🙏🙏🙏

Good. To hear you get it straightened out and for the information you found out .

Wow, that was a nightmare, I hope everything works out for you. I will be praying for you. 🙏

Monty...my blood pressure spiked and I got a whooping headache listening to your story, give us a update in November...good luck

Thank you for this video. I am retiring to Thailand in two years and I will definitely make sure my Social Security is being paid before I leave the country.

I just went through all of this myself. Did the CRBA and passport for my daughter in Cebu. A couple of months later I was in USA and got her a social security number( this was all done last year). This April I was in usa and went to a local ssa office back home, they stated the interview must be done on the phone, since I was already there I asked what additional information they needed. They said they had all my info but needed crba, passport, etc for my daughter so I gave it to them. Had the phone interview a couple of days later. A little over 2 weeks ago my daughter and I received our first social security payment. It was a pain but worth it in the end. As a note I'm also in Dumaguete.

I applied for SS and put in a delayed retirement date. I had the telephone interview while I was living in GA. Then I moved to FL for about 8 months, changed my retirement date a couple of times (house in the PI kept getting delayed because of Covid restrictions). Finally retired and moved to the PI 2 weeks later. I retired on the last day of May and received my first payment in July. I also have twins but I did not receive a payment for them. Somehow they had been coded as working! Finally got that straightened out (glad I have a google phone number for all the phone calls to the US) and received their payments the 3rd week of Oct (which is when I get mine), with backpay. And then there were a couple of minor adjustments to the payments over the next year, due to amounts I had paid in from working. The only dealing I've had with the SS office in the Embassy was trying to get a signature on my benefits letter, which never happened. I ended going to the Embassy and having it notarized instead. I live in Batangas so it isn't too bad having to go to Manila. I hope everything works out and don't forget your payment is based on your birthday.

Your young wife is so mentally matured and caring. You are one lucky man to have her. I wish your family the best in life.

Thank you for the advice Monty. Guess I’ll know it will be a nightmare just to get it started.

The best advice I was given by my father was that no foreign country is eager to help an American process his social security. So its best to do everything in the continental U.S. (even in the U.S. it can be a pain so I recommend doing everything online in the U.S.) including Medicare months before retiring, even if they tax the hell out of it if you are still working. That way you won't have to deal with the headaches after moving overseas.

Hi Monty, Sorry for your struggle in trying to get what you have coming to you! In just wanting to share this with you, my birthday is also in September which is on the 5th, however my checks go to a bank account in the United States. For people receiving their social security within the U.S. it is paid on Wednesday, however there are no checks paid on the 1st Wednesday of each month "IF" paid in the U.S.. Based upon my birth date of the 5th I receive my check on the "2nd" Wednesday of each month. If a persons birthdate falls between the 11th to 20th of the month you will receive it on the 3rd Wednesday and if your birthdate falls between the 21st to the end of the month the 4th Wednesday of the month. Also I read on FB that if your Social Security check goes directly to an overseas bank account in the Philippines you will receive your check on the "3rd day of each month". Let me just say that I cannot verify the part about being paid in the Philippines. I hope everything works out well for you in November. Take care and all the best to you and your family!

Hi sir monte, I just subscribed your channel. Wish everything goes well especially your health issues. Your wife is a hero for you, Goodluck to your family. Praying for your complete healing, Stay strong and God bless. Watching from Europe ❤️🙏🇵🇭

Good post, This is the best post about life in the Philippines I have ever seen, I'll be 62 Sept 2, 2023 I plan on moving in 24/25. It was not about the bar scene and the do's and don't most of which are not something I would do anywhere in the world in the first place. I moving for peace of mind, and lower living cost.

Anything to do with the embassy so security is a total nightmare even in the US is a total nightmare it’s crazy. Oh my God I could imagine what you’re going through freaking brutal. Take care God bless.

One other myth. I was able to get information on is that you can file for disability if you’re already on Social Security as long as you signed up for social security before you turned 65 and once you have reached the age of 65 then you cannot file for disability at that point

Good luck. I hope everything continues to get better for you.

Good luck to you and your family. Hope it all works out for you. Has to be stressful as hell.

I'm so glad I got my SS taken care of when I was in the USA. Just made an SS phone appointment with a few questions and was approved. I know you can get your Passport stuff done at the Cebu City office here. I have been retired in Cebu City going on 4 years now and have never received a "proof of life" form from the SS office. I called them up 2 years ago and they told me if you change your address to a foreign address, they will send that letter out to you. I still have my address on file with them with an American address. I will never tell them that I live in the Philippines or will ever change my address to a Philippine address. You can't depend on the mail here from the states, it's that simple. What they should do is you check in at your SS account online and that would be enough to prove you are still alive without all the hassle of sending out Snail mail and never getting it. Hope everything works out for you and you get it all straighten out.

As you know monty nothing comes easy for some of us but soon all will be just right for you and your family. When you feel down count your blessings too, a fantastic wife, a beautiful child and you have real friends. Time.monty time.

Once you start getting please have it directly deposited into your bank

You can get the document notarized in Duma for 200-300 peso at Law office. You can FedEx the document back to SS 4-5 day delivery for about 25 USD...

Well, Monty, that was mind-blowing. I live in the Philippines and want to apply for SS, I will be 62 in Jan. I have not completed the online form, I filled out an online form from the US Embassy in Manilla for an appointment as I thought I may be able to apply there, I'm still awaiting a response. So did your friend in NC E-mail / provide you a softcopy of your letter that you had to respond to within 10 days? Also, did you register your address in the Philippines when you were at the Embassy or online with SS? I ask because it seems easier to have a family USA address and deal with all correspondence from there. Especially your yearly, I'm still alive update. It all seems quite complicated.

By living in the PI part of the year under my SRRV, I see others with this issue. All Americans should understand that this requirement is ONLY imposed when we use a non-US bank to receive our SS retirement. Being aware of this issue when I retired in 2013, I continued to use my US address and BofA account. Some actually elected to get a virtual mail box (non PO Box type) as the official home address within the bank. All SSA and VA benefit deposits to US banks automatically get notification of a person's death so there is no requirement to provide proof of life in the USA. Be aware that any SSA back payments for your child will come in intervals when it exceeds 3 months or more. Here is the word salad to understand: "If the total amount of your child's back benefits is more than three months' worth of SSI benefits, SSA generally must issue the back money in up to three installments. SSA issues installment payments every six months." Bottom line - do not count on all back pay to come in one deposit and be prepared to see a 6 month delay before receiving the total amount due.

Good luck Monty, sorry for your setbacks. You have a lovely family

for your child born abroad you and your daughter have to go to embassy. They want to see her in person. Make your appointment have all the paperwork they ask for. Nothing happens fast in the Philippines Also you have appointment you walk right past all those people go to front of line.

Hi Monty! Dealing with any government bureaucracy unfortunately seems to always be a nightmare. Is there a way for you to register/signup from the PI for an SSA online account so they can communicate with you paperless? That way you’re not waiting for communication from them via traditional mail. For me that has been the easiest way. You’re so blessed to have a strong, intelligent, and wonderful wife that helps you Praying all goes well 🙏🏻

So glad you were persistent and demanded to be served for you and your daughter! How complicated to qualify for something you are entitled to. Still more hurdles ahead. I hope things are worked out! You deserve it.

I got my son's CRBA in Cebu City. His Social Security also in Cebu thru the SSA's outreach program which they have every so often. My son's CRBA took only 3 weeks (we downloaded all the requirements and proof of Parenthood), so it came about very quickly. Thru their outreach program, we got him a Social Security #. I too love in Dumaguete.

I'm in America now and I had to go back and forth to the DMV 3 times for plates lost in the mail. I can just imagine Social security will be a nightmare when I retire in Duma.

Thank you Monty for helping us out by sharing your experience. Was it the virtual mailboxes’ fault? Should they have notified you more quickly? The virtual mailbox company? Thank you

Hello sir. Youre lookin much better. Keep talking doing vlogs. Get that body moving, it will pay off

I went through the CRBA last week. So here is some info. (I did apply and receive SSDI in 2015). Get the CRBA first, then the SS# for child. The CRBA requires tons of paperwork. You need ORIGINAL copies plus copies of the originals. You can fill out an application online, then they will email you an appointment date. For the CRBA interview: requires at least 1 parent and child. If you are married, an ORIGINAL of the Philippines marriage cert (+ 1 copy) from the PSA is a REQUIREMENT. (unless married in the US). Next time you go to Manila embassy, (if you so choose) there are 2 lines outside. One that has a million filipinos standing in line, the other line had maybe 4 people (Americans). I went to security at the smaller line and they told me this was the correct line for me. (It helps to bring the appointment paper). It took a few hours for them to go through the paperwork and maybe the actual interview that lasted about 15 mins. And it was approved. Nothing left to do but to grab a taxi and head back to the hotel. (I took the opportunity to visit the Mall of Asia (for my wife LOL) then the Manila Military Cemetery later that day.) They will mail me the CRBA certificate then I can apply for the baby's SS number. The hardest work is gathering up all the paperwork. And there you go. Good luck in your journey. 👍🏻

Thanks for the information Monty, and the lessons learned! I am praying you have it all resolved and the check arrives in Nov! You are looking better, by the way. Can’t be that Buckeyes hat on your head, Maybe a little less stress…👍 Go Dawgs!

Getting your daughter's US Citizenship be another nightmare. Regardless if she looks like your twin. Be ready for a DNA 💰, it could costs you between $700-1200. Good luck to you sir. I went through same ordeal,... But the only thing I could say about the social security personnel in the embassy? They know more on what to do, more than here in the mainland. They know their craft.😊

Applied online. Never asked to call the SS or respond to any questions. First check arrived on time with no issues.

One of my concerns is like once a year I get a letter to update my SSDI, if I'm not able to send it back in time because I'm in the Philippines it could be a big problem, something that's been holding me back.

Oh, Monty, your interaction with Social Security has been a full-blown NIGHTMARE! It should have ended long ago, and here you are still enduring it. I sincerely hope it ends soon, as it should, in your favor!

One more for a cup of coffee out. Love your family. Such good people.

Hey, a fellow Buckeye! I was born in Finlay, OH and went to college at OSU. Thanks for the good content.

Thank you for the video Monty. Keep doing what you’re doing. I hope everything works out. Take care.

I will pray that all goes well Monty.

I gave you good advice about getting a social security attorney and you just ignored both messages(my son is an attorney)...all that could of been avoided ☝️...but happy you got everything taken care of🙂

Wow what a story you have shared Sir. I hope everything is going to be okay but I’m positive you will get your SS benefits sooner. I believe you can process your SS Benefits through online. Actually, my husband did it online but we live in Texas. For the child below 18 years old will get 700 dollar. My son just stop recently because he is already 18. And here’s also another thing, if you applied your SS benefits that year and your child is about to turn 18 in 6 months, they will give that child a check through in 7,8,and 9 months then it will stop. This is what happen to us. Receiving that extra 700 dollar is a huge help towards a good education for your child and maintaining a regular check up for her as well that’s 100 percent a huge help and I will pray that will happen soon for your family. Not just for you but also to all Americans living in PH with a child or children. I can’t wait in 5 years I will be bring my husband in my island cebu/bohol. And I want him to enjoy his life like a king. Good luck to y’all 💀👻🎃Mabuhay kayo dyan!

Oh boy what a pain going through all that , I’m sure everything will work out for you , it seems more straightforward getting social security online from New Zealand we’re I’m from and now residing in Philippines ,

The question is, how does a guy not know how to property prepare for drawing SSI? You have 62 pus years of a lifetime to prepare. Now suddenly all is a nightmare??? You were in the states recently and you knew you were planning on drawing SSI. You have been married with a child for like 5 years? What have you done in those 5 years prior? What you call a nightmare is self-inflicted.

Thanks Mr Crew👍👍.. that is great information that older Americans need to know👍👍👌👌

Thanks for the info Monty. Hope everything goes well for you from now on! Stay safe.

The Philippines is so sad, ineptness at all levels. Too much nepotism and cronyism.

9:35 was feeling for you Monty until this point. How have you not gotten your daughter CRBA (child birth abroad birth certificate ) at the age of 4 ? You could pass away tomorrow and you’ve not done your due diligence to your daughter in getting her American documents in order ?!?!? My first born child was born in Tijuana September 2022 and I made it my duty to get my baby her CRBA by January 2023. You need to do your homework before going to Manila. Your not a victim to the system your a victim to your ignorance in the system.

Thanks to you both, always love the content!

One of the most important things signing up for social security is your mailing address. You were flagged with the NC mailing address because your address in your account was different. SSA always looks for fraud and that sent a huge red flag. Why didn't your traveling mailbox not notify you of the original letter?

Excuse me, but how is it your daughter is entitled to SSI? SSI is supposed to be for people who paid into SSI for so many years or credits. I'm not trying to be mean or rude but this entitlement is paid by taxpayers.

Why didn't you register your child's birth to the US embassy right away? Was that not important to you for the last 4 years?

Monty, Thanks for sharing your experience. It seems like there are some advantages to living on Luzon Island. All the government offices and the embassy is there.

Awesome! PTL! Mission Accomplished! Congratulations

Another grampy expat story of an old man going to SE Asia and having a kid with a woman who is a third his age.....sad, very sad and why should this kid be getting SS, things gave to change!

Good luck. Try dealing with the SS office in Manila when you live in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Thanks Monty for your advice on this SS matter. Hang in there.

I feel bad for your traveling efforts to fix your SS in Manila. Although, my experience dealing with the US Embassy in Manila is excellent. My SSA was handled with the utmost professionalism. I received everything on time as they had planned for me. Maybe, next time, you and your family will start this new year, 2024 with an excellent experience. Cheers.

Well I hope it all works out for the best for you and your family Take care and STAY STRONG

We're praying for you ,hope everything goes well 😊

Great video Monty and so happy things are gonna work out!!! I have spent many days and nites worrying about you brother!!!

The ironical thing about social security payment is you can live ok on it in the Philippines, but trying living on it in the USA, so they should make it easier to receive overseas

New subscriber here. I hope this all worked out for you and your family. My wife and I are a Fil-Am couple also. We did a K1 visa and married 8 years ago. She has a home in Mindanao and we hope to spend some retirement time there. Hopefully to do some island hopping also, maybe we can meet sometime in Duma. Best wishes.

You can contact your congress representative etc...