Watch: Can an Indian Citizen Get US Social Security While Living in India?

3:24 Started applying and so on. I >> have 40 credits. >> Yes. which can be obtained no le at

3:29 Least for 10 years you will have to work. I had I made sure that before I resigned I was I had obtained the 40 credits. these credits actually bel come from the number of years. So in 1999 if even if you have got worked for a couple of months you will be able to get those four points that is a crucial thing and similarly in the year of hearing at least couple of months if you work you will get four more credits there. >> Yes. So I basically made sure that I get I have those 40 points and I I I was hoping that once I'm past 62 I should be able to apply for the benefits. As soon as I turned 62, I decided to take the benefit. Not because I wanted the money immediately, but I wanted to make sure that that at least the process gets going even though the amount that you receive will be little

4:30 Bit less if you opt for a little bit early. >> Yeah. Got it. So, how did you go about it? Like where did you start? and whom did you reach out to initiate the process? I I mean number one I had those 40 credits and number two I had a bank account which which was there when I was in US. I I had made conscious effort to keep it active. I had updated with my current details and that account was active and once this I I was eligible for applying I I I mean these days they have changed the social security online access also to some other method and I complied with that and made sure that I have been having the every year I used to download the statement and keep all those statements. in handy and once I was

5:34 Eligible I I I we have to apply through the online itself. So I tried to get all the details. I actually reached out to you also with one or two minor clarifications that I needed but I reached out to my chartered accountant also and basically it is a straightforward thing if if you are prepared at least including preparation it requires about half a day if you have to collect the details that they ask for. once you apply on once you apply online they will schedule they will schedule interview process. for us for India this will be through Manila office of social security they probably a month or so in advance they will fix the interview date at such and such a time and exactly promptly on the day and the

6:34 Time the guy called up and he was very calm and went through the all the details more than 30 minutes he answered most most of the questions and He was able to basically once all whatever we have submitted the details he was able to scrutinize on a one-on-one basis and any clarifications or just changes minor modifications he made made sure that all those things are done and he sent a written statement of whatever we have discussed. >> Got it. And then they will say that we will need whatever 3 months or from when do you want to the the benefits to start and things of this kind. And but he he said that it will take whatever I I think about 3 months or so to process.

7:34 Since the government shutdown was there, I thought it might extended but they were able to stick to it and they on decided on the decided date they got more or less similarly within a couple of weeks they were able to get back and the benefit that whatever month if it happens to be early they will compound it and give it in the right at the beginning. >> Got it. And like you know what kind of documentation is required? So if someone is planning to apply later like what are the records? I know you kind of mentioned about the statements that you are keeping handy on an annual basis. is there some additional documentation or the records that you would suggest for people to keep track or maintain so that it would make the process smooth and easier when they're applying after they become eligible.

8:28 See one one thing which came out of blue for me was this Manila office wanted three government documents to say that I was prove the identity sort of thing. Out of the three documents he told that he is willing to accept one document as Indian passport for which carried my travel or stay [clears throat] stamps in US. So that was my gold expired passport. I had that. that was one. but he in addition to that he wanted two more government documents. I it was little bit difficult for me. I was I was not prepared for it. I for a long time I kept the base slips of those 1990s and 2000s but then I thought why I'm keeping all this paper stuff it is not required. So I threw them off or destroyed them. But he he the second

9:32 Thing what second document what I thought was an employment certificate from whoever I worked during those years. Fortunately for me that company was still existing and I reached out to one of able to get it from this you'll have to approach them directly. So I approached the HR department. Fortunately for people who have worked in that company, they had a separate wing and they were able to send me an employment certificate or history of employment certificate saying that such and such a person with such and such an ID worked in such and such a period with such and such a title. But the Manila office wanted all the three documents to be notorized by the US consulate.

10:22 See to get a email is it is not possible to get an email notorized because that itself is a digital document. So I decided to take the header of the email which shows the authenticity of the email and I took a print out of that to the consulate and in spite of these two that is the passport and the employment certificate I was not having a third document issued by the US government. So [clears throat] I asked this person who was interviewing me whether an expired driver's license will work which was which I had in Maryland. I was not too sure I was retaining my expired driver's license. Even that I I was thinking this is anyway it is expired why I'm keeping this but anyway I decided to keep it in a secondary storage. it was there fortunately for me that expired document proved to be the clinching evidence for me. So I took all

11:24 These three things the passport the employment certificate and the expired driver's license and took an appointment at Chennai consulate for document certification or notoriization there will be a separate queue or the separate appointment slot we need not wait for so long I was able to get and this Manila guy had given me I think about four weeks or so to submit all these papers beyond [clears throat] which he told everything has to be repeated. Fortunately, I was able to get the consulate appointment in the separate category within close to the third week or so. So, I went there. It requires cash payment of for these documents there is a certain fees to be not for notoriization by the consulate I I guess from the consulate. Yeah, >> but so we will have to take the cash in. I had taken nearly 20 25,000 rupees

12:26 In cash but fortunately for social security purpose they she told that the fees you need not give because you are a senior citizen. I was happy about that. Anyway she was promptly notorized all the papers and gave it to me. Gave it back to me. >> The same day. And I Kered it to Manila and it I guess it reached a few days late but they accepted it. The same day I said everything scanned and sent them that see I have sent it within the deadline this is the digital format you will get the papers on such and such a day. >> Got it. So thanks a lot for sharing those very specific details. Sounds like I think three government issued ID are critical you know for the very first >> and fortunately you have the expired driver's license that is something that they can take it as a valid document. So >> by any chance do you have a list of

13:27 Documents or any suggestions that you would give for people who might be in a similar boat down the road right like you know someone moving out of US right now hey you know watch out have these records handy or you know keep this so that I think it'll because people might not be thinking like like the way you explained right why am I keeping my payubs why I'm having a expired driver's license but if there are anything any suggestions that you would give based on your experience hey you know keep these documents as long as you can because this could be helpful when applying for retirement benefits. >> Unfortunately, I have not made I mean I have not kept the list because I out of the list I went through what what I can get. see basically they need number one government issued number two with your photo and basically ID and the photo preferably. So passport also has that. the the driver license also has both. So out of the three I think he needs two with photo ID.

14:30 >> And third fortunately I was able to get this employment certificate. I had I had not come across even though I had looked at Rome so many things. I had not come across these guys asking for three government documents. In my case, I I I found out when I was applying for it. >> Got it. Cool. and you have started receiving the retirement benefits like after you submitted the document. So like what happened after like they received it and then they approved it like how how immediately or what's the time frame when you received them? Yeah. >> Yes. Just on the day see on a Monday say let us say next Monday they had asked me to submit within 30 days after the interview was happened to be on Monday.

15:15 Let us assume. So on only on Friday I was able to get the consulate in slot and I got the thing notorized on the just two days. Within two days to send it to Manila was slightly tough. but I got those things notorized. What I did was I took a scanned copy of everything. Whatever is notorized I sent it then by email saying that see I have got it done. I'm corering it today. >> Yes. I went to DHL original office, head office who who promised that by Monday it will reach but it did not reach on Monday for whatever reason it was held up for a couple of days in Philippines and within a few within few days after the deadline it reached but I guess they accepted it and within I think it took close to two to 3 months or so after that date they they fine day after three I mean after that there was nothing was needed

16:15 That the 30 minutes of whatever 30 minutes of interview time is where you will you you will you will get all the things the slot where you will have to if you have to ask any questions you have to ask after that it is tough to catch hold of that particular person I try to reach also for whatever reason I I was not able to reach so you better be prepared and make the best use of that slot or the interview that you have. He is willing to answer anything and everything you ask during that interview. After that it is slight off. So it took about 3 months after that and after 3 months it start they they one fine day I had an email saying that your thing has been accepted and you will get you're eligible and you will be getting the benefits. there is a certain there are certain dates for depending on your date of birth they will credit the amount and it was their

17:15 Certain specified date >> got it and then so I think you kind of mentioned briefly so they prorrate it or something so let's say you so when you become let's say you are eligible for the social security retirement benefits like let's say on January 1st 2025 and you got approved in October 2025 so they prorated it all the way from Jan January 1st, October and then every month they just continue with that. >> Yes. Yeah. The first eight, three, whatever months they will accumulate and give it one one shot and afterwards they will go on giving in a on a monthly basis. >> Got it. And then are you having these retirement benefits getting deposited into your US bank account? is that right? >> Correct. >> There is an alien tax which once again I was not aware not aware. I think somewhere around 25% deduction they will do for non US citizens he told that I mentioned about the double tax double tax treaty he told that that's a very valid point but this alien tax

18:17 Is something which you cannot >> avoid >> circumventing anyway yeah >> got it that's fantastic so the overall process like once you started the application till you got the fund so are we looking at four to 6 months. Is that a good time frame in terms of like you know how long it took from the process to >> I think about 6 months. >> Yeah. 9. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I think four to six is >> Got it. no thanks a lot. have you applied for anything else like a spousal benefits or anything like that or it was just focused only on the retirement benefits? in this process I >> I mean they will ask us a pro process the children children's age wife marriage divorce all these things spousal benefit I think it is all by by the details that you give it it is already covered I guess >> okay >> spousal and minor children also in the event of the death of the recipient is eligible

19:17 I think that is covered implicitly >> implicit >> if I am right >> yeah I I think the difference is maybe the you know that one benefit but there is also like spousal benefit where the spouse can also get the retirement benefits right when that spouse is eligible based on their own contribution or on the spouse's contribution. that might be a different application process but that's what I was referring to. >> Oh I see. my wife did not work so I I I don't think it was applicable for >> Okay. Just I think an FYI even though the spouse might have not contributed but she could be eligible based on your contributions. I think it might be worth looking into. We can touch base online about that. so that I think we can talk more about. >> So that's fantastic. Is there anything that we haven't covered that you want to bring up during this entire process of applying for the social security retirement benefits from India?

20:12 >> I think it is you have we have covered most of the stuff. I am given to understanding that it is not taxable in India. I have mentioned it to the CA but anyway I thought let the amount come and afterwards in the next financial year I'll make sure that it is not taxable here. >> Yeah as per the DTAA that is what it's supposed to be. Yes. Yeah. So yeah thanks a lot Mr. Shivaswami. really appreciate you taking the time and walking through the process. I think this definitely helps lot of people who are in this similar bucket or like you know this question right I know they know it is possible but they don't know a real examples of someone who is getting these benefits and how to apply you know what are the things that are required so thanks a lot for walking through these details and explaining some of the interactions that you had with the the social security office the documents that are required and so on I think this would be a very valuable information for a lot of our audience thanks a start again.

21:14 >> Absolutely. It is my pleasure. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I mean if you really hear from a person who has received it definitely I understand it anybody will have the confidence. I mean till now I was also not too sure. I was thinking let me try if it comes it's good if it's not. Let's see. Yes, glad we were able to connect. I think while you are applying I think you know that helped in terms of understanding someone who went through the process. So glad to know that we have a real example that you know that people can look after and that that can give them the confidence. >> Sure. I mean it's a good thing that you are also doing your service. So many things you have put it is definitely a nice effort. Thanks for your support and help in the past six months or so. Yeah, you're more than welcome. So, yeah, thanks again. I really appreciate you taking and taking the time and sharing you know your journey with us today about the process.

22:15 >> Sure. Thank you very much. Thank you.