November 13, 2024
That's right, there is not a Social Security office in Korea, or anywhere else in the Pacific for that matter EXCEPT at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines. Your primary in-person or direct contact for Social Security matters with the Pacific region is the Social Security Administration (SSA) and its Federal Benefits Unit (FBU} offices located in the U.S. Embassy, Manila Philippines.
Social Security Administration (SSA) in the U.S. Embassy, Manila Philippines can be found online at https://ph.usembassy.gov/social-security-administration. This office serves the entire Pacific (contact info). The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) operates on an appointment-only system. See below to schedule an appointment or go to their Inquiries Form web page. Please ensure that your contact information is accurate and complete.
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/
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.
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).
