Understood on the expense. But, In the beginning all my retirement documentation will be done electronically but I need a back up until everything is smooth sailing and settled in.
Mailbox Etc. is a good resource in that you will, in all probability, occasionally want to order something not available here. For example, a health item. Mailbox Etc. will allow you two kg weight per month within their monthly charges and will add to the expense if you exceed that amount. Rarely a month passes that I don't have some small purchase arriving (a special curry powder, special coffee filters, etc). And, it is not possible to predict who will try to contact you by mail and thus you could miss important letters. Business and investment communications and the like.
Keith Woolford > El HedonistaSeptember 6, 2013 at 4:12pm
At MBE one also has the option of not signing up for a monthly box, and paying by the piece at higher rates. Since I only get one or two letters a year that works for me. I buy a lot of items on eBay and Amazon and receive them through MBE. You may not be aware that every parcel has to pass through Customs and their service handles this process. Lately I have also been receiving packages at E-Shop which is located in Bajo Boquete near the Library.
Documents that need signature other than electronic signatures just to mention a few:) General Delivery from the U.S.? You mean USPS? If so, what is the charge using USPS?
There are some problems with forwarding. One, Social Security and some other government institutions will not send mail to a P.O. box OR a commercial address such as Mailbox Etc. Then, unless you have a current USA address, you will not be allowed access to your Social Security site online. Then, you are Not in compliance if you have your mail sent to a third party such as a friend or family member in the USA to be forwarded to you here in Panama. There are two solutions that I have found. The easiest is to not be in compliance and have your mail forwarded to a family member's address and have them forward it to you. One other is to go to the US Embassy in PC and have them fill out a form to have your mail sent to the local Panama mail center here in Boquete. You will not be informed when mail arrives, it will be your responsibility to check occasionally to see if you have received mail there. Social Security will send your yearly information to that address AND that annoying Proof of Life letter you must complete every two years. I, unfortunately, did not know of these restrictions prior to changing my address to a P.O. in Miami and thus I had to do the latter. A little lie would have been my choice had I known.
If you read the online regulations or contact them, they will tell you differently. I am just relating what happened to me here in Panama. I talked extensively with them both in the US and also the Embassy here. I can only tell you what they told me and what I have had to do to receive mail from SS. I receive my benefits electronically and that works fine. But, the problems have been with receiving the yearly benefits updates and online access without a physical USA address.
El Hedonista > El HedonistaSeptember 6, 2013 at 12:15pm
I should clarify my statement regarding that completed form from the US Embassy.... I was referring Strictly to Social Security mail, not general USPS stuff. The form is actually part of SS.
Replies
Understood on the expense. But, In the beginning all my retirement documentation will be done electronically but I need a back up until everything is smooth sailing and settled in.
Thanks
Mailbox Etc. is a good resource in that you will, in all probability, occasionally want to order something not available here. For example, a health item. Mailbox Etc. will allow you two kg weight per month within their monthly charges and will add to the expense if you exceed that amount. Rarely a month passes that I don't have some small purchase arriving (a special curry powder, special coffee filters, etc). And, it is not possible to predict who will try to contact you by mail and thus you could miss important letters. Business and investment communications and the like.
At MBE one also has the option of not signing up for a monthly box, and paying by the piece at higher rates. Since I only get one or two letters a year that works for me. I buy a lot of items on eBay and Amazon and receive them through MBE. You may not be aware that every parcel has to pass through Customs and their service handles this process. Lately I have also been receiving packages at E-Shop which is located in Bajo Boquete near the Library.
Documents that need signature other than electronic signatures just to mention a few:) General Delivery from the U.S.? You mean USPS? If so, what is the charge using USPS?
Thanks again. I'm trying to have everything done before leaving. Almost there!
Hil
There are some problems with forwarding. One, Social Security and some other government institutions will not send mail to a P.O. box OR a commercial address such as Mailbox Etc. Then, unless you have a current USA address, you will not be allowed access to your Social Security site online. Then, you are Not in compliance if you have your mail sent to a third party such as a friend or family member in the USA to be forwarded to you here in Panama. There are two solutions that I have found. The easiest is to not be in compliance and have your mail forwarded to a family member's address and have them forward it to you. One other is to go to the US Embassy in PC and have them fill out a form to have your mail sent to the local Panama mail center here in Boquete. You will not be informed when mail arrives, it will be your responsibility to check occasionally to see if you have received mail there. Social Security will send your yearly information to that address AND that annoying Proof of Life letter you must complete every two years. I, unfortunately, did not know of these restrictions prior to changing my address to a P.O. in Miami and thus I had to do the latter. A little lie would have been my choice had I known.
I know plenty of people getting mail from Social Security with a P.O. Box.
If you read the online regulations or contact them, they will tell you differently. I am just relating what happened to me here in Panama. I talked extensively with them both in the US and also the Embassy here. I can only tell you what they told me and what I have had to do to receive mail from SS. I receive my benefits electronically and that works fine. But, the problems have been with receiving the yearly benefits updates and online access without a physical USA address.
I should clarify my statement regarding that completed form from the US Embassy.... I was referring Strictly to Social Security mail, not general USPS stuff. The form is actually part of SS.
also PakYa in Los Establos Plaza (Boquete Tree Trek)