Embassy of the United States Panama

An applicant residing in the Republic of Panama may apply through the Federal Benefits Unit of the Consular Section.  The FBU will complete the applicable forms, make copies of the required supporting documents, certify the documents, and mail the entire package to the Regional Office in the U.S. Embassy in San Jose.  This office is linked with the Social Security System.  Copies of the forms and supporting documents are kept on file.  It can take 6-8 months to receive a final decision on a new application.

The most commonly required supporting documents are:

• Original literal copy (copia integra) of birth certificate if you were born in the Republic of Panama. If you were born in another country you should bring your original birth certificate.
• Unexpired U.S. Passport or Legal Permanent Resident Alien Card.
• Certificate of naturalization, if you are not a US Citizen by birth.
• Certificate of Citizenship, if you obtained your U.S. Citizenship at age 18 or older.
• Social Security Card or any Social Security Administration document reflecting your Social Security Number.
• Original Marriage Certificate.
• If applying for spouse or child benefits:
  
  Original literal copy (Copia Integra) of the birth certificate for your spouse or child who is under 18 or disabled, if they were born in the Republic of Panama. If they were born in another country, you should bring the original birth certificate. (If applying for spouse or children benefits)
  
  Social Security Number for your spouse and dependent child, if available.
• If you are applying for Disability Benefits for yourself, spouse or child, you should bring an updated detailed medical report, including a list of all medications you are taking.
• Divorce certificate if applying as a surviving divorced spouse.
• Death Certificate (if applicable).
• If you were in the Armed Forces, Form DD214.
• If you receive a pension from a U.S. Federal Agency, your annuity or pension number.
• If you receive a pension from a non-U.S. Federal Agency, including the Panamanian Social Security System, the award letter or resolution indicating date the pension started and amount of the pension.
• Last pay slip.
• If you are not a U.S. Citizen or resident, proof of at least 5 years residency in the United States.
• If possible, any supporting document that is in a foreign language should be translated into English by an official translator.  The SSA sends all foreign language documents to their Central Translation Section which could cause a delay in the processing of your application.
• If you are a U.S. Citizen or resident, up to 85 percent of the Social Security benefits you receive may be subject to the federal income tax.
• If you are not a U.S. Citizen or a U.S. resident, federal income taxes will be withheld from your benefits.  The tax is 30 percent of 85 percent of your benefit amount.

Age requirements to apply for social security benefits

Retirement Benefit

• Age 62 for Early Retirement. Benefits would be about 25% lower than if you wait until your full retirement age. 
• Age 65 and over for Full Retirement benefits for people who were born before 1943.
• The number of work credits required to receive retirement benefits depends on when you were born. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need 40 credits (10 years of work).
• The Social Security law was changed to gradually increase the full retirement age until it reaches age 67.  Check the following table to find your full retirement age.

NOTE: People who were born on January 1 of any year should refer to the previous year.

Remember, no matter what your full retirement age is, you will still be able to retire at age 62 if you have earned enough Social Security credits, but your monthly benefits will be permanently reduced. 

Spouse Benefits / Unmarried former Spouse
Age 62 or older
Any age if caring for a child under age 16 or disabled

In order to be eligible for benefits as a former spouse the marriage must have lasted at least 10 years and you must be unmarried at the time you are applying for benefits.

Widow(er) Benefits/Surviving Divorced Spouse
Age 50 if disabled
Age 60 for reduced benefits
Age 66 or over for full benefits
Any age if caring for a child under age 16 or disabled

Children Benefits
Under age 18 or up to 19 if attending high school
Any age if disabled before age 22

Lump Sum Payment
There is a one-time death payment of $255 that is paid when a SSA beneficiary dies if he/she worked long enough. This payment can be made only to the surviving spouse or to a child eligible for benefits in the month of death.

Disability Benefits
The following table shows how much work you need to meet the “duration of work test” if you become disabled at various selected ages.
NOTE: This table does not cover all situations.

You will get Medicare coverage automatically after you have received disability benefits for two years.