August 19, 2022:
Generally, the US Social Security system requires all people living abroad*, receiving Social Security benefits, to file a form SSA–7162 every year, but those policies have been offficially suspended this past 2 years due to COVID issues with overseas mailing. It’s a simple form that certifies our current address, and certifies that the SS benefits recipient is still alive.
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms/images/SSA7/G-SSA-7162-OCR-SM-1.pdf
*Who is required to file?
All people receiving Social Security benefits, who have foreign addresses registered with the SSA. It does not matter if your check is deposited in the USA or to a foreign bank account, because it’s all about the mailing address you have on file with the SSA.
*2022 Updates:
The SSA typically mails the forms out in May each year, with a 60 day due date for returning the form after the day your receive it … Yet the program was suspended due to COVID mailing problems, and this year, the notices were not sent out until June 2022, A follow up notice is sent in October and December if the completed questionnaire has not been received.
https://es.usembassy.gov/foreign-enforcement-questionnaire/
* * * * * * *
For USA-nians on Social Security living abroad. who have not received their notice in the mail, just download the SSA’s pdf form for SSA–7162,
https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms/images/SSA7/G-SSA-7162-OCR-SM-1.pdf
print a copy, complete the form, and mail it back to the USA using registered Mexican mail, to:
Social Security Administration
P.O. Box 7162
Wikes Barre PA 18767-7162
USA
SSA Official Due Dates for Filing in 2022:
Per the SSA: “The Social Security Administration will resume mailing the forms SSA-7161 and SSA-7162 in late June 2022.”
https://form-ssa-ocr-7162.pdffiller.com/ and
https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/
~ We personally received our SSA 2022 notices with our form SSA-7162’s on July 17, 2022 here in Merida, Yucatan … and DESPITE WHAT SOME INTERNET POSTERS SAY, the form clear says:
“Then, complete your report and return it to the Social Security Administration, P.O. Box 7162, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, 18767-7162, U.S.A. in the enclosed envelope within 60 days from the day you receive it. “
https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/DownloadDocument?objectID=7143601
Why explain all of this?
There are a number of official sounding reports & posts on expat social-media forums claiming that we must file the forms every May, or supposedly risk losing our benefits.
Fortunately, the SSA’s official announcements clearly explain the actual US Govt. policies.
Happy Trails
Read On … MacDuff !
Surviving Yucatan 
Interesting.
I believe this only applies to those that have SS deposit funds to a non USA bank, or mailed to a non USA address.
As the article specifies, it is only needed if your official address on file with SSA is abroad.
People living abroad using USA addresses & USA bank accounts, are not recognized as needing to file.
Obviously if they have their check is deposited abroad, the SSA has required people to register a foreign address.
I would like to know if is Ok (or legal) of using my US address and my US bank account with SSA while living in a foreign country. Thank you.
Yes, that is fine.
Each year some beneficiaries are required to complete the Form SSA-7161 or SSA-7162 beneficiaries are required to complete the Form SSA-7161 or SSA-7162—From the US Embassy form.
I’ve been doing this online for a few years now, as mail doesn’t come to Tixkokob. Thanks for the heads up though, as always.
Jerry, How do you return your Form SSA-7162 to the U.S.? Is there an alternative to mailing it such as online via email or Via Fax?
i think this could be don a better way, i live in Thailand, it takes mail from the USA 30 days to get to my house, which leaves me 30 days to mail which there mailing system does not work well, There is NO DHL, or other services , i mailed my last 7162 in july still help up a the united states arrival @ inward of exchange, i Track it with EMS Thailand postal service, still no has picked it up,
Neil e Vanslyke
Me and my chidlren have not received yet. It is the 2 week of December. Been calling SSA and even reported it to the OIG of Ssa. Hope I get them soon. Does anyone have any suggestions to help me get pir 7162 and 7161
Try this:
https://cr.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/248/ssa-7162-REVISED.pdf?mc_cid=5a7d134dc3&mc_eid=%5bUNIQID%5d
Thank you Sir for the information will try this.
Thank you for all you help. Wanted you to know. A few hrs after reading your message. And receiving the form you sent us.
After calling the Ssa OiG Ssa last night we received the form you sent us. Plus the forms for our 3 and 4 year old children. In email from FBU.
We will be filling them out and sending them a letter of all the problems we have had with Manila FBU. When I came here in 2016 to stay after a few visits to meet my wife and sell my house back in the USA. Manila use to answer there phone during all working hrs. Up to Covid19. I live Davao city. We don’t use Qr codes anymore and facemask are optional. The email of FBU just a few months ago went up from 5 or 7 days. To 15 days. On the birth of our first child in 2018. We called ssa Manila the case worker gave us a appointment. However when we got there. She was not there one employee told is she was in cebu at the couslet office another told us she was sick. We asked for a supervisor and they said none arable sire they did some of the work they could do. Our appointment was at 8am. The6 could not get to is tell 11 am. Thos is with a 2 month old baby and I am diabetic. They also did not inform us that we had to go to passport services first to report birth from abraod from the start. The trip cost is around 700 usd with hotel stay and meals. However it cost us another 700 usd to go make a appointment with passport services. We will certify register mail on these fos and hopfully not get cut off . I really do thank you for you help. And caring. We do not touch our children money we lock it up in time shares some php time shares. And some usd time shares. I just wanted to keep you updated you are very helpful. Hope you and your family have a great holiday season.
I sent my SSA-7162 form to SSA in Wilkes Barre, PA. Usually I send it to FBU Manila and when I mentioned that to them in Manila they replied that they had no information about it being received in Wilkes Barre. I am concerned about my benefits being stopped. I have the SS benefit checks sent to my Bank of America account in the U.S. so why do I need to submit the SSA-7162? Other American friends who live nearby tell me that they do not have to file that annual report. Thank you. James Madden
Hi James,
The other Americans seem to be unaware of the Biden Administrations rule changes last June, 2022. Since you can lead a horse to water, but can’t make him drink … then trying to get your USA-nian cohorts to follow rules, seems a little pointless ??
If you are living overseas, then the law is clear,
“It does not matter if your check is deposited in the USA or to a foreign bank account, because it’s all about the mailing address you have on file with the SSA.”
Rather than using FBU offices, why not just follow the SSA’s official instructions?
“For USA-nians on Social Security living abroad. who have not received their notice in the mail, just download the SSA’s pdf form for SSA–7162,
Click to access G-SSA-7162-OCR-SM-1.pdf
print a copy, complete the form, and mail it back to the USA using registered Mexican mail, to:
Social Security Administration
P.O. Box 7162
Wikes Barre PA 18767-7162
USA “
???
Cheers, Steve
Thanks Steve