Social Security Information from the Embassy

Starting on Monday, October 2, 2017, Embassy Panama Federal Benefits Unit will cease performing most Social Security Administration-related federal benefit services.

This change is occurring because the Bureau of Consular Affairs and the Social Security Administration (SSA) are updating our Interagency Agreement, which outlines services that most Consular Sections at U.S. embassies can perform on behalf of SSA.

SSA requires all beneficiaries and most applicants living overseas to contact the specially-designated Federal Benefits Units (FBUs) abroad that are best equipped to handle such inquiries. Because of the changes, the FBU designated for Panama will now be the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica.

These changes are not expected to affect other federal benefits services

For information on SSA services that FBU-Panama can continue to perform after Oct. 2, please visit our webpage at https://pa.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/federal-benefits-unit/.

Information regarding Social Security applications or benefits which can be processed at Embassy Costa Rica FBU can be found at https://cr.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/social-security/.

Ross, maybe this will help. I suggest you email FBU in Panama. Their contact information is posted in my original post. SS requires you provide them with a local mailing address. Some still maintain a USA address but they run the risk of SS stopping their checks. Every two years you are required to complete their Form 7162. It is known as the Proof of Life (POL) form. It has 4 simple questions. This year those who have the last two digits of their SS number starting with number 50 have to report. SS usually sends the POL in June or July. I had to report this year. (Those with numbers below 50 report on even numbered years.) I had two options of sending the POL to SS. I could have mailed it to SS in Wilkes -Barre, PA or I could send the POL and my passport to FBU in Panama. I sent to FBU. I used DHL to do it this way. FBU will record you have complied. It cost more doing it this way but I have peace of mind. If you mail to Wilkes-Barre you do not know if they received it or not.

SS pays those with a foreign address on the 3rd of the month or the previous Friday if the 3rd falls on a week end. I have them do a direct deposit to my US bank. I transfer to here the amount I need.

Things might have changed so check with FBU. Good luck.

Replies

Bruce Laidlaw October 7, 2017 at 5:57pm

So, is it YOU that's the cretin?
John Clement October 5, 2017 at 9:27am

Jim & Nena, I have asked to be your friend. Cheers, Johhn
John Clement October 5, 2017 at 9:24am

Jim & Nena, I have asked to be your friend. Cheers, Johhn
John Clement October 4, 2017 at 10:54am

Ross, SS wants the original form because it has a bar code on it. It helps them process the thousands of POLs they receive from all over the world. SS does not want to continue sending a check to a dead person.

I report every other year. At age 90 SS requires a POL report every year.

Re: Address in Panama

I'd say it would be better if the address is in Spanish. General Delivery in Spanish is Entrega general. I suggest you get Boquete's 4 digit postal code and ask the post office on how to format the address. When you go to pick up your mail they might file it under "B' for Blankert or "R" for Ross.
Amanda Firestone October 3, 2017 at 6:06pm

Give s.s. the address “General Delivery, Boquete, Panama.” Then go to the the local post office every year to collect your form. The only uncertainty is that it could arrive in the spring, in the summer, or in the fall. You just have to keep checking. It’s worked for most people most of the time. (This procedure has been discussed on forums and in messages from the Embassy any number of times.)
Hil October 3, 2017 at 1:58pm

Ross,

You have to play by the rules. Your education might hender you. A mail forwarding address will not work and you will be cut off of payment sooner or later. I know many that tried not getting a Panama address in SS data base. Yes, they were cut off. It is a personal responsibility to read their website or call them. The embassy has responded to my emails usually the same day. You need to know their working hours also. They don't have many hours a week in the FBU. Do some emailing or calling.
John Clement October 3, 2017 at 7:55am

Ross, maybe this will help. I suggest you email FBU in Panama. Their contact information is posted in my original post. SS requires you provide them with a local mailing address. Some still maintain a USA address but they run the risk of SS stopping their checks. Every two years you are required to complete their Form 7162. It is known as the Proof of Life (POL) form. It has 4 simple questions. This year those who have the last two digits of their SS number starting with number 50 have to report. SS usually sends the POL in June or July. I had to report this year. (Those with numbers below 50 report on even numbered years.) I had two options of sending the POL to SS. I could have mailed it to SS in Wilkes -Barre, PA or I could send the POL and my passport to FBU in Panama. I sent to FBU. I used DHL to do it this way. FBU will record you have complied. It cost more doing it this way but I have peace of mind. If you mail to Wilkes-Barre you do not know if they received it or not.

SS pays those with a foreign address on the 3rd of the month or the previous Friday if the 3rd falls on a week end. I have them do a direct deposit to my US bank. I transfer to here the amount I need.

Things might have changed so check with FBU. Good luck.
Amanda Firestone October 3, 2017 at 6:27am

I and my wife ARE still alive. Your good education is letting you down, Ross.
Bruce Laidlaw October 1, 2017 at 1:11pm

Ross, you sir, are a cretin.
John Clement October 1, 2017 at 11:15am

Tis better dealing with the US Embassies than with dealing with Panamanian red tape.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXWZ3uAEKsw

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