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Applying for ...updated August 20, 2008 |
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Applying for Social Security Benefits from Korea |
Applying for Your Retirement Benefits
updated 8-19-08 |
Would you like to start by getting a rough idea of how much you could receive by taking early benefits? Or calculate benefits for your spouse? Or for your surviving spouse? Two tables that were first presented in a Still Serving in Korea newsletter are now available here to help you in your decision process of when to apply.
Too busy to go through all this "stuff"? How about a shortcut to see what you need to do and what you need to submit to apply for your Social Security retirement benefits. Just print off these instructions and use them to fill in and print off the fillable forms below. Get the supporting documents and either submit them to the Retirement Services Office or mail them yourself to the Social Security office in Manila. If you are applying only for Medicare Part B, go here. |
Most SSA forms are now available in two formats: non-fillable and fillable. The non-fillable version is provided because it is a considerably smaller file size and more easily downloaded over slow Internet connections. These forms are shown with two file sizes, the non-fillable and the fillable, e.g., SSA-21 (91kb/149kb).
PDF Reminder: If you are completing a fillable form using Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can print with the information you have entered, but you cannot save the form with the information.) |
| 3-18-2007 All claims submitted from outside the U.S. in the Pacific region must go through the Social Security Administration Division (SSAD) in Manila, the Philippines. Assignment of claims to the Claims Examiners is based on the surname (last name) of the claimant (worker) or beneficiary of the worker. The SSAD encourages claimants who are applying for Social Security benefits to deal directly with their Claims Examiners. The SSAD has provided contact information to assist claimants. |
| Claims Examiners |
Surname
AAA-GZZ
HAA-LZZ
MAA-SMZ
SNA-ZZZ |
Claims Examiner
Rizalino S. Rimorin
Gigi R. Nomil
Marila Atienza
Armando C. Aragon |
Extension No.
2416
2461
2410
2596 |
To call a Claims Examiner, dial (international) *63-2-301-2000 to receive a recorded message.
If you know extension number dial it after the recorded message.
* Remember that calling international requires a prefix, for example, KT prefix calling from Korea is 001 |
General Contact Information
(international calls) |
Telephone:
Fax:
E-mail: |
63-2-301-2000 (wait for recorded message to finish)
63-2-522-1514
SSAD.VARO.Manila@ssa.gov |
| Mailing Address |
International Mail:
SSA Division
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
1131 Roxas Boulevard
Ermita
0930 Manila
Philippines
Military Postal:
Social Security Administration
VARO Manila
FPO AP 96515-1000 |
When using the military postal system, it is highly recommended that initial claims and any other correspondence related to claims be submitted using Certified Mail/Return Receipt.
When dealing by mail with a Claims Examiner, be sure to include ATTN: (name of claims examiner) in the mail address. |
| Type of Application |
Forms Required |
Supporting Documents* |
Comments |
Claimants Living Outside the United States
updated 1-27-08 |
SSA-21 (80kb/211kb)
Use these instructions to accurately complete the form. |
Must be submitted with each new, separate claim, or when relocating from U.S. to overseas, or moving within overseas areas, or when applying separately for Medicare Part B |
This form is required by each person submitting a claim and who is living outside the U.S. If multiple claims are submitted in a single package and are based on the same worker's benefits (e.g., retirement, spouse and child), only one SSA-21 is required to be submitted with the package. |
Retirement Benefits
updated 1-27-08 |
SSA-1 (138kb/280kb)
Here are instructions for all required forms. |
Birth Certificate, DD Form 214, Marriage Certificate if currently married, divorce decree or death certificate from any previous marriage. |
Can be submitted as early as three months prior to 62nd birthday for early benefits. Submit three months prior to desired date for start of benefits. |
Spouse Benefits
updated 1-27-08
updated 3-18-08
Replaced defective fillable version of form with error-free fillable form |
SSA-2 (97kb/316kb)
The wage earner, on whose earnings record the spouse benefits will be paid, must also complete SSA-3 (90kb/184kb)
Here are instructions for all required forms. |
Birth certificate (Korean citizen spouse must submit official Family Register with English translation plus notarized photocopy of military ID card), Marriage Certificate, divorce decree or death certificate from any previous marriage (except if divorce occurred in Korea and is recorded in Family Register). |
If spouse does not have Social Security number, also submit SSA-5FS (154kb/377kb) to apply for a new number. For Korean citizen spouses living in Korea, spouse benefits are taxed at 25.5% and tax is non-refundable. |
| Felony Statement |
SSA-795 (Felony) (fillable) |
Must be submitted with each new claim when using SSA-5 (mother/father), SSA-10 (widow), or SSA-16 (disability). |
This form must be completed by applicants submitting claims to SSA Manila. Form is pre-filled for no felony convictions. Change as needed. |
| Employment Questionnaire |
SSA-7163 (partly fillable) |
Must be submitted by anyone who is employed outside the U.S. |
This form is required for all applicants who are still working and who submit claims to SSA Manila. It is pre-filled for those with SOFA employment. If you work for a foreign employer, use this version of the form. |
| Direct Deposit Request |
Standard Form 1199a (fillable) |
In lieu of this form, applicant may submit a voided check or pre-printed deposit slip for the deposit account |
Except as noted, this form is required for all applicants requesting direct deposit of their Social Security benefits. Fill out only the first page. The remaining pages are automatically completed. This form may also be completed and provided by the applicant's financial institution. |
Medicare Part B
added 2-1-08
updated 3-10-08
Form SSAD-36CL must be printed and completed to submit with each claim form. |
Claim Forms:
Worker SSA-1 (138kb/280kb)
Spouse SSA-2 (121kb/360kb)
Use instructions to complete forms, if needed. |
Use if not already drawing Social Security retirement or spouse benefits. Submit original or U.S. Embassy certified copy of Birth Certificate and Passport |
To file for Medicare Part B only, use the appropriate claim form for the claim category. This special version of the claim form is identified by the notation "MEDICARE ONLY" across the top and it contains a preprinted required statement in "Remarks" above the signature block. |
| Child Benefits |
SSA-4 (134kb/336kb) |
Child's birth certificate, death certificate in the case of deceased wage earner.
If child is adopted, include certified copy of adoption papers. |
Use if you are drawing Social Security benefits for retirement, disability, or widow(er) as surviving spouse and you are caring for a U.S. citizen minor child. Benefits payable if child is under 19 and attending secondary school. |
| Mother's or Father's Benefits |
SSA-5 (99kb/336kb) |
Birth certificate (see above for Korean spouse), Marriage Certificate, divorce decree or death certificate from any previous marriage |
Used for the surviving spouse of a wage earner who is caring for the U.S. citizen child of the deceased wage earner (such as military retiree) if the child is under age 16. These benefits stop when youngest child reaches age 16 and mother/father is ineligible (e.g., below age of eligibility) to draw benefits in another category (retirement, disability, widow/er). |
| Widow(er)'s Benefits |
SSA-10 (142kb/267kb) |
See Korea Casualty for supporting documents and instructions |
|
| Lump-Sum Death Benefit |
SSA-8 (75kb/
149kb) |
See Korea Casualty for supporting documents and
instructions |
|
| Disability Benefits |
SSA-16 (94kb/221kb),
SSA-3368 |
Birth Certificate, DD Form 214, medical evidence as required by SSA-3368 |
Applicant must be totally unable to perform substantial gainful employment. Benefits will not be paid until six months after onset of total disability, and will be paid until up to nine months after return to work. Widows who are disabled and unable to work become eligible to apply for Disability Benefits at age 50. |
Designation as Representative Payee
added 2-1-08 |
SSA-11 (167kb/
288kb) |
Request to receive payments on behalf of a claimant who is unable to handle his/her own affairs |
Form can also be used by claimant to receive payments directly rather than having the payments go a representative payee |
| Supplementing Claims Information |
SSA-795 (83kb/94kb) |
If you have submitted a claim and SSA requests additional
information, use this form to provide explanations or as a transmittal form to send the additional
requested information. |
Mail to the same address to which you send the original claim unless a different mailing address is specified in
the request from SSA |
| Benefits Estimate |
SSA-7004 |
None |
Mail to:
Social Security Administration
VARO Manila
FPO AP 96515-1000 |
Notes:
* Supporting documents must be originals or copies certified by U.S. Embassy. If you send originals, you can request that they be returned. However, the RSO recommends that originals be submitted to the U.S. Embassy to obtain certified copies and the certified copies can then be submitted with the claims.
(Copies only of military documents notarized by a military legal office are also acceptable.) |
| |
Applying for Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) |
| Type of Application |
Form |
Supporting Documents |
Comments |
| CRSC |
DD Form 2860 (fillable) |
Medical and other records showing combat-related nature of disabilities |
Check briefing here for an overview of CRSC eligibility. Read the
instructions on the form carefully. Mail to your service address
included on the form. |
| Supporting Documents |
Standard Form 180 |
Use this form either in standard (complete by hand) or (computer)
fillable format to request supporting medical and personnel records to
support CRSC claim. |
Mail to address on the form. To get quicker results, apply
on-line at http://vetrecs.archives.gov. |
| |
Applying for VA Benefits from Korea |
NOTICE: The VA has started on-line applications at VONAPP effective July 16, 2008. For details, see this Hot Issues entry.
|
| Korea retirees/veterans desiring information and assistance on elibility for VA benefits, completion of forms, upgrading disability rating, etc., are encouraged to call the VA Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) office at Yongsan. Their number is DSN 738-5121, Commercial 02-7918-5121. The RAO will gladly assist when asked, but the VA BDD office has the expertise. |
| Type of Application |
VA Form |
Supporting Documents |
Comments |
| Disability Compensation |
21-526, 21-2545 |
DD Form 214, medical records and/or other evidence of disability showing service connection |
Instructions are included with form. Mail completed form and any supporting documents to:
VA Regional Office
1000 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 |
| Upgrade of Disability Rating (increased %) |
21-4138, 21-2545 |
Medical evidence showing that condition of disability has worsened or onset of other conditions as a result of disability |
Same as above. |
| Medical Examination |
21-2545 |
Submitted when requested by VA, or with other documents for initial disability rating or rating upgrade |
Same as above. |
| Education Enrollment |
22-1990 |
DD Form 214 if veteran does not already have a VA file |
Mail to Eastern Region office at address shown on the form. |
| Home Loan Certificate Request |
26-1880 (fillable) |
None |
Home loan certificate cannot be used to purchase a home located in Korea.
Mail to Pittsburgh, PA address shown above. |
| |
Updating Your Beneficiary Designation |
| Organization |
Form to Use |
Mailing Address |
| Veterans Group Life Insurance (VGLI) |
SGLV Form 8721 |
Instructions for completing the form are included. Mailing address included. |
Military Retired Pay Arrears of Pay (AOP)
(This is retired pay accrued in month of death up to the date of death.) |
DFAS-CL 5890/2 |
Mail completed form to:
DFAS Military Retired Pay
P.O. Box 7130
London, KY 40742-7130
Annotate "BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION" in the lower left corner of the
envelope |
| Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) |
SF 2808 (fillable) |
Mail completed form to:
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Retirement Operations Center
P.O. Box 45
Boyers, PA 16017-0045 |
Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) |
SF 3102 (fillable) |
Mail completed form to:
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Retirement Operations Center
Federal Employees Retirement System
P.O. Box 200
Boyers, PA 16017-0200 |