Hi Everyone...especially US expats, thought I'd share with you my very pleasant experience of applying for Social Secuity retirement benefits this week.
I am full time in the DR now and was worried about how to go about applying but the new online application process for expats made the process very smooth and easy. I had all the information they requested right at hand and my earnings estimate could be reviewed online to be sure it was accurate. The online app took about 30 minutes and the next day I received a call from "my" SS claim representative, who left a message on my cell. I returned the call on Skype...direct to her desk phone (no complicated phone menu system) and she was more than helpful and pleasant. Down right friendly. We went over some basics to verify that "I am me" and then I had to answer a couple of additional questions that weren't in the online application. Then I had to swear that I was telling the truth
Then she told me how much my monthly benefit would be and that the first payment would go into my US bank account by direct deposit on Oct 3. I turn 62 on August 22 so the first eligible month is September and the payment is a month behind.
They didn't even need a copy of my birth certificate since I'm a citizen born in the U.S.
So assuming all goes as planned, I'm done except for occasional paperwork to update my information.
Thought everyone would like to know.
Judy
I am full time in the DR now and was worried about how to go about applying but the new online application process for expats made the process very smooth and easy. I had all the information they requested right at hand and my earnings estimate could be reviewed online to be sure it was accurate. The online app took about 30 minutes and the next day I received a call from "my" SS claim representative, who left a message on my cell. I returned the call on Skype...direct to her desk phone (no complicated phone menu system) and she was more than helpful and pleasant. Down right friendly. We went over some basics to verify that "I am me" and then I had to answer a couple of additional questions that weren't in the online application. Then I had to swear that I was telling the truth
Then she told me how much my monthly benefit would be and that the first payment would go into my US bank account by direct deposit on Oct 3. I turn 62 on August 22 so the first eligible month is September and the payment is a month behind.
They didn't even need a copy of my birth certificate since I'm a citizen born in the U.S.
So assuming all goes as planned, I'm done except for occasional paperwork to update my information.
Thought everyone would like to know.
Judy