moving to cebu from seattle

[geezer 1]

You must maintain an address in the US to draw social security You can draw disability in the Philippines but not social security

This is incorrect.

If the surviving wife is a US citizen she can collect without the 5 year trip. I believe she gets 1/2 what the hubby got!

Not sure what the kids get.

Yes US citizens benefits are not affected they can get whatever they are entitled to whether in the USA or the Phils, US citizens can collect benefits just about anywhere except North Korea and Cuba.

[tallcoolone 102]

You can get SS benefits in RP but not the medicare part!

Thats correct, depending on your health it may be to your advantage to sign up for medicare when you are eligible at 65 and return to the states for any major health issues. The medicare premiams are cheaper if you sign up then they go up something like 10% a year.

Btw If you are receiving VA benefits and you have a combat service connected disability you can get VA medical benefits in the Philippines, the only or one of the few places outside of the USA you can do so. Also if you are retired military you can get TRICARE in the philippines.

Good Information.

[♥ Teena♥ Joe♥ 0]

I am married to retired US Navy and we lived in the Philippines together for 3 years. Based on our experience, VA Philippines makes everything slow and TRICARE Philippines are ripped off. It's ridiculous. Now, we're in Pennsylvania and VA hospital is great and very dependable.

You can get SS benefits in RP but not the medicare part!

Thats correct, depending on your health it may be to your advantage to sign up for medicare when you are eligible at 65 and return to the states for any major health issues. The medicare premiams are cheaper if you sign up then they go up something like 10% a year.

Btw If you are receiving VA benefits and you have a combat service connected disability you can get VA medical benefits in the Philippines, the only or one of the few places outside of the USA you can do so. Also if you are retired military you can get TRICARE in the philippines.

[geezer 1]

I am married to retired US Navy and we lived in the Philippines together for 3 years. Based on our experience, VA Philippines makes everything slow and TRICARE Philippines are ripped off. It's ridiculous. Now, we're in Pennsylvania and VA hospital is great and very dependable.

This post wandered off track a bit but I think this comment illustrates the reality of living in the Philippines. Everything that americans are used to is better and easier to get here than in the Philippines which is the point that many have made to the OP.

I love living in the Philippines but I dont expect the same level of services from america there that I could get here. The services may be avaible but as the saying goes your milage may vary. I do know vets and retirees who have had good luck with the VA and TRICARE but for others not so much.

If you want to live there and be happy you need to be willing to accept thats its not the USA and you need to educate yourself as to the benefits you can get there. Some people will just never be happy there but others like me will love it and just find the difficulties kinda funny..

Also in regard to health care, depending on your condition and your ability to pay cash for the services you can get good care there and if necessary in countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong you can get western style healthcare much cheaper than here.

Edited January 29, 2009 by geezer

[tallcoolone 102]

I am married to retired US Navy and we lived in the Philippines together for 3 years. Based on our experience, VA Philippines makes everything slow and TRICARE Philippines are ripped off. It's ridiculous. Now, we're in Pennsylvania and VA hospital is great and very dependable.

This post wandered off track a bit but I think this comment illustrates the reality of living in the Philippines. Everything that americans are used to is better and easier to get here than in the Philippines which is the point that many have made to the OP.

I love living in the Philippines but I dont expect the same level of services from america there that I could get here. The services may be avaible but as the saying goes your milage may vary. I do know vets and retirees who have had good luck with the VA and TRICARE but for others not so much.

If you want to live there and be happy you need to be willing to accept thats its not the USA and you need to educate yourself as to the benefits you can get there. Some people will just never be happy there but others like me will love it and just find the difficulties kinda funny..

Also in regard to health care, depending on your condition and your ability to pay cash for the services you can get good care there and if necessary in countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong you can get western style healthcare much cheaper than here.

Again another good point.