Applying for US Social Security

Replies

Milton Rodriguez August 22, 2010 at 2:26pm

Also look in to Airfacilities and Miami Express. They have good pricing and service. I use both.
Good luck and welcome to Panama.

Saludos,
Milton
Michael McWaters August 7, 2010 at 10:07am

I will be moving to Boquete with-in a couple of months...where do you go to get set up for Airbox? When I was in Boquete 2 months ago I saw a Mail Boxes, etc. place, would this be an option also to get set up for US Social Security?
Michael
- Bonnie Williams > Michael McWaters August 22, 2010 at 5:52pm
  
  Michael:
  
  You need to start a new topic. This topic about applying for U.S. social security.
  
  Bonnie
Lee Zeltzer August 2, 2010 at 7:54pm

For anyone who is interested. I followed the advice given here by Dinah Sutton, and did the process by telephone. I was able to use my Panama address for my residence without a problem since I had a US mailing address. Unlike the embassy route I did not need to travel to the capital or provide a pile of papers that needed to be ordered at significant expense from the US.
Jeff Simon July 26, 2010 at 2:52pm

Do what Judy Sacco said.
You can also use the physical address of a child, sibling or close friend and then you can register on-line. When you register, you can give them a physical address (e.g. your son or daughter's home) and a different mailing address. I registered in person and the whole thing took about 30-45 minutes. If you are really nice to the clerk, they can/will double your benefits. So you could receive $100/month instead of $50. What a good feeling to be receiving checks from the U.S. government instead of sending them money. Good luck.
Dinah Sutton July 23, 2010 at 6:38am

You can also apply by phone..if you have a skype etc..try that..they set up a phone interview and you don't have to have any of the documents...just verify everything over the phone...they send you some papers to sign if you have a US mailing address and you are good to go.
- Trish Christofferson > Dinah Sutton October 8, 2010 at 6:56am
  
  I tried calling the embassy. I talked to someone in FBU and they said I had to come in with all of the documents. What number did you call to set up the phone interview?
- joseph > Dinah Sutton July 26, 2010 at 8:48am
  
  I use Airbox and their service has generally been good. They were great when we originally moved about a dozen large boxes from the USA. They don't seem to have any problems with getting things through customs. But I think their charges are somewhat high, and although I have always received my mail, I think it takes too long from Miami and sometimes there have been significant delays. Further I have not always received e-mail notification of mail. In fact I no longer rely on such notification. Also I believe there is a $20 annual fee for basic service in addition to the per item charge.
  Access to funds is another matter. I know some people direct deposit into Panamanian banks. My SSA is direct deposited into a bank in the USA. If I write a check against that account and deposit it into my Panamanian bank account, it takes 15 weekday working days to clear. If I use a local ATM, I am limited by their cash withdrawal limits as well as those of my USA bank, which are more restrictive, and I have to pay withdrawal fees. I believe someone said Scotia bank enables quicker access to funds but I do not bank there. I also noted some SSA differences between a USA address as opposed to a foreign address, but did not fully investigate this.
  Now to the mail and more on funds access. I also receive paper checks which arrive in Miami on or before the 1st. I generally receive them by the 10th, but not always. If I immediately deposit them you can do the math and see those funds are not available until the beginning of the following month.
- Judy Sacco > Dinah Sutton July 23, 2010 at 8:27am
  
  On another related subject, can you renew your passport without going through the embassy? It used to be easy, because they came to Boquete and handled everything by DHL, but I don't think they do that anymore.
Judy Sacco July 22, 2010 at 8:08pm

I think you can go to your home state and apply in person. Otherwise you go to the embassy in Panama City. I did it 4 years ago, it it was not a painful experience. Just be sure to go on a day when the office is open. Go to the office of the Federal Benefits Unit, Panama-FBU@state.gov. The phone number used to be 207-7030 (might have changed)

Take with you:
Birth certificate
Passport
Social Security Card
If you want your money direct deposited, take a blank check from the bank where you want the deposit to go.