Social Security Benefits in Korea

SSA Support in Korea is Provided by the FBU in the Philippines

  That's right, there is not a Social Security office in Korea.  The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU} office of Social Security is located in the U.S. Embassy, Manila Philippines, and the is our regional support office and primary in-person or direct contact for SSA matters. Their website can be found at https://ph.usembassy.gov/social-security-administration. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) operates on an appointment-only system.

PHYSICAL ADDRESS
Social Security Administration
1201 Roxas Boulevard
Ermita, Philippines 0930

MAILING ADDRESS
U.S. Embassy – Manila
Unit 8600 Box 1610
DPO AP 96515-1610

PHONE:
+63-2-5301-6200
FAX: +63-2-8708-9714

EMAIL:
FBU.Manila@ssa.gov

HOURS:
0800-1100 Tuesdays & Thursdays only, closed holidays

IN-OFFICE APPOINTMENTS
In-person services are limited to appointment only. Walk-ins are not allowed. Appointments are available on Mondays and Fridays from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. To request for an appointment, please send an e-mail to FBU.Manila@ssa.gov (Subject: Appointment Request) and we will contact you to schedule the appointment. 

WEBSITES:
SSA, Manila ph.usembassy.gov/services/social-security
FBU, Manila https://ph.usembassy.gov/services/fbu-inquiry-form/

ITIN - Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

  If you do not have, or cannot get a Social Security Number and need a number for tax purposes and you are not authorized to work in the United States, you can apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An ITIN is a tax processing number only available for certain nonresident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents who cannot get a Social Security Number (SSN). It is a 9-digit number, beginning with the number "9", formatted like an SSN (NNN-NN-NNNN). To obtain an ITIN you must complete IRS Form W-7, IRS Application for Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. This form requires documentation substantiating foreign/alien status and true identity for each individual.

 To learn more about the processes and requirements in applying for an ITIN go to the ITIN page of the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/taxpayer-identification-numbers-tin

  You can use the IRS’s Interactive Tax Assistant tool to help determine if you should file an application to receive an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

SS Benefits for Spouses

  When the retiree sponsor files for retirement benefits, your spouse may be eligible for a benefit based on your earnings as a retiree. Read more at https://www.ssa.gov/oact/quickcalc/spouse.html, which includes a calculator to tell you the effect of early retirement on your spousal benefit.

How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits?

  Once you have determined when you want your benefits to begin (age 62, full retirement age, or delayed age) and are ready to apply, go to the Social Security Administration website https://www.ssa.gov/apply. You will need a my Social Security account https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/, login.gov or id.me account to login and apply. The website walks you through the fairly easy online process. Review this file https://www.ssa.gov/hlp/isba/10/isba-checklist.pdfto ensure you have gathered all the documents and information you will need.

When Can I Start Collecting Social Security?

  There are three (3) milestones to consider for starting to collect your Social Security payments: When you turn age 62, at full retirement age, or at a  delayed age.  From a Social Security standpoint, you can start getting benefits as early as age 62, which would be the lowest payment possible of your SS benefit.  Or you can delay retirement up to age 70 for your maximum monthly benefit amount. Between these ages you have a fully qualified retirement age, which is different for everyone based on the year you were born. Which of these options you choose is an individual choice you must make based on your situation.  All have pros and cons.  Here is an excellent article from SSA on their website The Best Age for YOU to Retire https://blog.ssa.gov/the-best-age-for-you-to-retire/

Can I Work And Still Collect Social Security?

Yes, when you turn 62. BUT, there is a penalty if you have not yet reached your Full Retirement age. Not an actual "penalty", but you will pay more into SS than what SS pays you, until you reach your fully qualified age (66 or 67 usually), which means collecting SS while you work BEFORE reaching your Fully Qualified age basically nullifies, or worse, what SS pays you. So, rule of thumb - do not sign up for SS until your fully qualified age if you are still working.

How to get a New Foreign National Spouse a Social Security Number?

  A non US citizen can apply for a Social Security Number if they have a U.S. mailing address to include APO, FPO, & DPO addresses, which most retirees in Korea do have, so the spouse does also. You can start your Social Security number (SSN) card application online at https://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/. Once you've submitted your request, contact the SSA office in the Philippines for additional guidance in completing your application.