Filing for Social Security overseas - FBU vs US applications for expats?

I filed thru the FBU at the US Embassy in Bangkok last year. Was actually pretty smooth! Emailed them my documents, had a phone interview, and got approved about 8 weeks later. Never had to physically go to the embassy. One thing to know - make sure ALL your docs are in perfect order because if something's missing it can really delay things.

I did the opposite of the previous commenter and flew back to Dallas to file in-person. In my situation, it was definitely worth it because I had some complications with my earnings record that needed sorting out. The SSA rep was able to access everything right there and fix several issues. Got approved before I even flew back to Spain. If your case is straightforward, FBU is probably fine, but if there are any complications, being in-person at an SSA office is invaluable.

whatever u do DONT use the online application if ur overseas!! system kept crashing when i tried putting in my foreign address. wasted hours and had to start all over THREE TIMES!! so frustrating!!

I've been an expat in Germany for 15 years and handled my Social Security application through the FBU at the Frankfurt Consulate last year. A few important points to consider: 1. FBUs typically take 30-120 days to process applications, while US offices can sometimes complete everything in a single appointment if all documentation is in order. 2. If you have any complications (mixed earnings records, foreign pensions that trigger WEP calculations, or previous marriages that might qualify for spousal benefits), going to the US can be advantageous. 3. Direct deposit to foreign banks can be complicated - some countries have better banking relationships with SSA than others. Portugal is generally fine, but verify this. 4. FBUs operate differently at each embassy/consulate. Some are excellent, others are understaffed and slow. You might want to email the Portugal FBU first to gauge their responsiveness. 5. If you do decide to file in the US, make an appointment well in advance - many offices are still backed up from the pandemic.

I had a HORRIBLE experience with the FBU in London! Took over 6 months to process my application and they kept losing my documents. Had to submit same papers 3 different times! Then they calculated my benefit wrong and I spent another 2 months fixing it. If I could do it over, I'd definitely have flown back to the States. The people at my old local office in Minnesota were always so helpful when I lived there.

I just went thru this last month! I'm in Argentina and was debating the same thing. Ended up using the FBU here and it wasn't terrible but not great either. Took exactly 11 weeks from my application date to approval. One thing to consider - if u go back to US to file, make sure you schedule appointment BEFORE you travel. I heard some SS offices are booked weeks or months in advance, especially in bigger cities.

As an additional consideration, remember that filing at 62 means taking a permanent reduction of about 30% compared to waiting until your Full Retirement Age (FRA). This reduction is especially important for expats to consider since international living can sometimes involve unexpected expenses. Have you run calculations to determine if early filing makes financial sense in your particular situation?

One more thing about FBU filing - they get SUPER confused if you have direct deposit to a US bank but live overseas. They kept asking for my Portuguese bank info even tho I just wanted it sent to my US account (which is totally allowed!). Had to explain this like 5 times lol

If you decide to file through the FBU, make sure you understand how international agreements affect your benefits. Portugal and the US have a Totalization Agreement that coordinates Social Security benefits. This means time worked in Portugal might count toward US eligibility requirements and vice versa. However, this can also trigger the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) if you receive a pension from Portugal, potentially reducing your US benefits. This is one area where speaking with an SSA representative who understands international agreements can be valuable.

Just a practical note - if you do decide to travel to the US to file, bring EVERY possible document you might need: original birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, all passports (current and expired), tax returns from the last few years, proof of foreign residency, and your complete work history. Better to have too much documentation than not enough!

Based on all the experiences shared here, I'm leaning toward making the trip back to the US to file in person. The combination of my mixed work history (including those 7 years with a Portuguese company), potential WEP implications, and the inconsistent experiences people have had with different FBUs makes me think the in-person route might be worth the travel cost. Plus, if there are any issues with my earnings record, I'd rather have immediate access to someone who can pull up everything and fix it on the spot rather than dealing with back-and-forth communications overseas. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - this has been incredibly helpful in making my decision!

I went through a similar decision process last year while living in Italy. One factor that really helped me decide was calling both the Rome FBU and a few SSA offices back home to ask specific questions about my situation before committing to either route. The FBU was incredibly knowledgeable about international cases but warned me upfront that my case might take 3-4 months due to the foreign pension verification requirements. Meanwhile, the SSA office in my old hometown said they could likely handle everything in 2-3 weeks if I came in person with all my documents. That time difference was worth the plane ticket for me. Also, don't forget to factor in that if you file while physically in the US, your first payment might arrive faster since there's no international banking setup delays. Whatever you decide, just make sure to get a receipt or confirmation number for everything you submit - learned that lesson the hard way with other government paperwork!

I'm currently going through this exact same decision process! I'm 61 and planning to file next year from the UK. One thing I've learned from researching is that you can actually call the SSA international number (+1-410-965-0160) to discuss your specific situation before deciding which route to take. They can tell you upfront if your case has any red flags that might cause delays through the FBU route. Also, if you do decide to travel back to the US, consider timing it around other things you might need to handle - like updating your will, seeing doctors, or visiting family - to make the trip more worthwhile. The consensus here seems to be that complex cases benefit from in-person filing, while straightforward cases can go either way. Your Portuguese work history definitely puts you in the "complex" category, so the US trip is probably the right call. Keep us posted on what you decide and how it goes!

I went through this process about 18 months ago while living in France. Based on your situation with Portuguese work history and potential WEP implications, I'd strongly recommend the US route. I initially tried the FBU in Paris but quickly realized they weren't equipped to handle my complex case involving French pension calculations. Ended up flying back to Phoenix and got everything sorted in one 3-hour appointment. The SSA rep there had specialized training in international cases and was able to access systems the FBU couldn't. She caught two errors in my earnings record that would have significantly reduced my benefits. The trip cost me about $1,200 but saved me thousands in reduced benefits over time. Pro tip: when you call to schedule, ask specifically for an appointment with someone experienced in international cases - not all SSA offices have staff trained on WEP and totalization agreements. Also bring translated copies of any Portuguese employment documents, even if they seem unnecessary. Good luck!

I'm in a very similar situation - turning 63 next year and living in Costa Rica. After reading all these experiences, I'm definitely leaning toward flying back to file in person. The thing that really stands out to me is how many people mention that SSA reps in the US caught errors or complications that could have cost thousands over time. Since we're talking about benefits that will hopefully last 20+ years, even a small mistake in the calculation can add up to huge money. Plus, with the WEP calculations and international agreements, it seems like the FBU staff's expertise varies wildly between locations. At least in a US office, you know they have access to all the systems and can pull up everything immediately. The travel cost is a one-time expense, but benefit errors last forever. Has anyone had experience with the SSA office in Miami? I'm thinking that might be my best bet given the high number of international cases they probably handle.

Reading through all these experiences really reinforces how much the decision depends on your individual situation. For anyone else following this thread who might be on the fence, here's what seems to be the key factors: 1) If you have a straightforward work history with only US earnings, FBU can work fine (though timelines vary widely), 2) If you have foreign earnings, multiple countries involved, or potential WEP calculations, the US route seems overwhelmingly better, and 3) The peace of mind factor is huge - knowing you can get everything resolved in one sitting vs. potentially months of back-and-forth. One additional consideration I haven't seen mentioned much is that if you're planning to travel back to the US anyway for other reasons (family visits, medical appointments, etc.), the timing could work out perfectly. Also worth noting that some of the newer SSA offices have really streamlined their processes - it's not the same bureaucratic nightmare it used to be if you come prepared with all your documents. Thanks to everyone for sharing such detailed experiences!