US Embassy in Panama announcements

If you are an American citizen, living in Panama, the following announcements from the United States Embassy could be important to you. You might also like to alert your friends.

Proof of Life Form

 The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently informed us that there are still over 200 Social Security recipients residing in Panama who have not returned their proof of life form. In June of each year these forms are sent to the mailing address recipients have on record with the SSA. A second request is mailed in October. If you have not yet returned your proof of life form, please contact the Federal Benefits Unit immediately at Panama-FBU@state.gov. The Social Security Administration will start suspending benefits effective with the payment dated February 3, 2014.
  If you are receiving benefits from SSA and wish to know if you are required to complete the proof of life form this year, or if you wish to obtain a blank form, please visit http://panama.usembassy.gov/ssai.html.
Marital Survey:
If you live in Panama and receive benefits from the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as a widow or widower, and are age 55 or under, and you have not yet returned your Marital Survey Form, please do so now. If you have not received the forms, visit the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy as soon as possible to avoid suspension of your benefits.
OPM forwarded to us over 120 marital survey forms for widows and widowers residing in Panama that were returned to OPM after not being picked up by beneficiaries at the post office. The survey form needs to be completed and returned to them as soon as possible to avoid the suspension of benefits.
The week of November 18, 2013, Retirement Eligibility and Services mailed 13,213 Marital Surveys to widows and widowers that currently receive a benefit from a deceased federal employee. The Civil Service Retirement law establishes that surviving spouses are not permitted to remarry prior to age 55 (unless they were married to the deceased for at least 30 years prior to his or her death) and continue receiving a benefit. The Marital Survey is sent out in response to this law. This year’s survey requires a response from all survivors receiving a benefit. The form must be signed and dated. A daytime telephone number is required.