Gary Speiginer
@Calif-Native
American expat in the Philippines
Forum posts
512
Contacts
19
About me
American
Lives in Tagaytay, Calabarzon
Speaks Some Spanish, German
Registration: 12 February 2012
About
Occupation
I am Retired.
My expat journey
Tagaytay, Calabarzon, Philippines
My secondary residence when not at my primary California residence.
Retired
Cooler weather, fresher air and less traffic (M-F).
The constant inability of locals to drive with integrity and follow the laws.
Menifee, California, USA
My main home/legal residence. When not at my California home, I spend a portion of the year at my Tagaytay City Philippines "secondary" residence.
Retired
Very clean, safe and near to where I grew up..... my home!
Zero dislikes... I am blessed!
California, USA
Serra Punta, Panama
California, USA
Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany
US Army DSTE Repairman
US Army Signal Corps, IG Farben Building
My Army MOS kept me very busy with critical tasks.
Way to cold!
California, USA
Nuremberg, Germany
California, USA
Philippines
Activity
SSI-VA BENEFITS INQUIRY by arablacq3
Hello fellow expats. Was wondering if anyone had info if social security enrollment affecting VA benefits?
Late Response: When you ask about "VA Benefits", it could be either retirement or disability: So, VA disability and military retirement checks do not reduce or offset your Social Security retirement benefits. However, there is one exception: When ... Read More
SSA Benefits by NY_Mike
I know we are all aware if we marry a Filipina with minor children. They Qualify for additional benefits under our Social Security retirement. But what happens when you divorce? Do their benefits continue? I'm asking this here rather than in the ...
@NY_MikeThe key to this entire process is found under the Representative Payee status.聽 This is initially assigned to the American SSA holder and remains as such, unless the child no longer lives with the American parent.聽 The SSA Manila ... Read More
Fraud-like actions at SnR Part 2 by Calif-Native
SnR鈥� With past issues of false CC charges on new US bank-issued CC鈥�..more issues with processing charges (even using local cards)I recently returned from California and made the mistake of shopping at SnR Nuvali on May 5, paying for my ...
I prefer to look at certain items in person prior to purchase... SnR CS continues to slip downward, and so is my spending with this company. Management appears to have handed control over to the merchandisers (i.e, aka "dizzers") and seems ... Read More
USA SS Proof of life by vehicross100
Seen this topic before but couldn鈥檛 locate it, so inquiring if anyone has any experience in receiving this notice. I am 1 month out from my first year on SS and just wondering what to look for when it鈥檚 time for this form to be sent to ...
@vehicross100You are talking about the FEQ, and that is Form SSA-7162. My recommendation is to be proactive and download it from here: https://www.ssa.gov/foreign/ssa7162ocrsm.pdfMake sure it is an editable PDF, fill it out, print/sign it, scan and ... Read More
Fraud-like actions at SnR Part 2
SnR鈥� With past issues of false CC charges on new US bank-issued CC鈥�..more issues with processing charges (even using local cards)I recently returned from California and made the mistake of shopping at SnR Nuvali on May 5, paying for my ... Read More
Poor PLDT Internet Connection (with or without storms)
A close friend voiced his frustration about his diminishing internet service here in the PI. I also shared my issues with PLDT that I have experienced from February this year to the present. As a follow-up to posts over a year ago, I am sharing my ... Read More
Need a Rental in Manila, Quezon, Makati, or BGC starting Feb 2025 by BOONDOCK-SAINT
Hi Folks,I'm in the process of buy airfare to Manila around the 16th and will stay a month or so. There are all sorts of hotels, places on AirBnB etc.Does anyone know of a decent place, quiet, not infested, semi affordable for me to rent that might ...
@BOONDOCK-SAINT Try Agoda, where you can get more recent reviews.聽 I would avoid ads for condos or places without a front desk.聽 Many will play games with added requirements after you book and pay, so they justify not showing up on your ... Read More
Problem getting my acknowledge of paternity accepted by locals by General Q
Hi, new hereI am an EU-citizen and my PH GF recently gave birth to a daughter in the Philippines.I signed an affidivit and acknowledment of paternity and sent to their embassy in my country. For unclear reasons (it has not been accepted). It was ...
Your posting should include the particular EU Country you are from since the rules and conditions differ from country to country.聽 Accordingly, your profile shows Sweden is possibly your EU country.聽 Although my experience is that of being ... Read More
BIR Registration for Foreigners by FindlayMacD
I posted a few weeks ago about registering with BIR to become a Philippines tax payer, the reason for doing this is that I am paying more than PHP5,000 tax on the extra pension that I receive (over and above my UK state pension from) USS, which is ...
@FindlayMacDUnderstand that there are many changes under Republic Act (RA) No. 11032.聽 Most foreigners need to state they are seeking a TIN per E.O 98 by using BIR Form 1904 ONLY!!!聽 [ Application for Registration for One-Time Taxpayer and ... Read More
SRRV with a criminal record. by GuestPoster114778
Hello.I'm 35 year old dane (well half dane/filipino) looking into SRRV classic option. The only problem is that I don't have a clean criminal record.Basically what happened was I flipped a hat off a guy and accidentally hit him. This act of ...
@bigpearl,I think the 35 min. age limit is still in force, but the $50K is the min. deposit at that age. Read More
SRRV compared to ACR by stillbiker
What is better SRRV or ACR?
@danfinn,You are 100% correct. When I did some digging, I found the undated PRA Advisory. The same Advisory states we have to register as inbound SRRV holders for the electronic passenger registration and HDC and sends us to: ... Read More
SRRV compared to ACR by stillbiker
What is better SRRV or ACR?
@danfinnThis is good news since 8 weeks ago I had to produce this very same document upon my exit. Additionally, I just logged into my PRA account about 40 minutes ago and the link and form is still there as a requirement. Read More
SRRV compared to ACR by stillbiker
What is better SRRV or ACR?
@danfinnDue to the new monitoring system, all SRRV Holders must have an exit pass now!Holders that stay over one years must have:Travel passPay Travel TaxHolders that stay less than on year must have:Travel passSource: Log into your PRA account ... Read More
SRRV compared to ACR by stillbiker
What is better SRRV or ACR?
@emvaningenIt has been years since I have had an ACRI Card. There are different allowances based on certain countries. However, the last I understood, for most countries was as follows: The ACRI card for tourist 9(a) that stay past 59 days may ... Read More
The steps taken to achieve VA-dependent medical coverage in the PI by Calif-Native
With a new spouse, baby/family, the task of getting them covered, while here in the PI, has been like a bed-of-nails testing regime. While we wait to complete the Immigrant visa process to the USA for two family members, the family needs medical ...
@mcreybarraquias8I will try to give out general info and each person must look as deeply as possible to understand. I am not a VA employee or representative of VA. Lastly, I am not an expert by any means and you must be able to deeply research ... Read More