Advice for my naturalized wife if she moves back to Philippines when I pass away.

[dvensel1 9]

Hello my friends

I have a need for advice and hopefully hear from some experienced folks who have gone through this is will in the future.

My wife became a US citizen on 10/10/25.  This is not a problem but I asked her what she would plan to do if she decided to move back to the Philippines when I die.   I have no problem with it of course because I'd be gone.  BUT - i worry that if she indeed moves back, will she be able to continue to access my retirement checks (which she will receive when I die) and that are direct deposit into a local USA bank.     I have many questions because I don't want any snafus after I'm gone.    SO:

1)  What's the best way for her to handle this?  Leave the money going into the same bank it always goes into or try to set up an account with a Philippine bank and have the deposits changed to be sent to that new one?   I'm not sure at this point that a Philippine bank could or would  receive those 2 checks every month or if there's a way to find out.

2)  My wife thought leaving the money alone as it is would be the best option.  Then she could continue transferring the money every month as needed to a bank account in Phil.  In the past I've actually had some remittance companies cut me off because they thought I was a terrorist (Western Union did this to me twice!!) and thought I was moving terrorist money around (yes - that's what they told me!)  Anyway, she can't afford to lose access to her money in the USA.

I am beside myself worrying about this.  I'm 73 and in pretty good shape but you never know.  I want to be sure she will have access to those 2 checks until,her passing as is her right to do, and without some silly bank rule or screw-up suddenly denying her her rightful funds.

3)  She would likely pull most of the money out of 2 accounts (and close them) and place it in the one account left to make things simpler for her.  My 2 retirements would go into that one account.

My question now:   Does this sound problematic to anyone?   Do you have a better way of doing it?   She is a US citizen now and could fly back to NY if needed to fix something but it would cost a lot obviously.  We want to look into banks in Phil. where she could open an account there but we're not sure both my social security check and my New York State retirement check could be sent to a foreign bank like that.  I think social security can be though.

 

Okay - so I'm sure I've confused several people.  But if I know one thing about the folks on this site, they're always helpful and have been for me for 11 years.  You all got us through this and I trust you all.  Best site on the internet in my opinion!!

Thanks for your input and as always, I'm all ears and open to advice of any sort.

Using my email would be best to respond but I'll check back here on a regular basis. 

 

Doug [last name & e-mail removed from this VERY public forum]

Edited 2 hours ago by TBoneTX
personal info removed

[OldUser 10,928]

I cannot offer you advice, but can I just express my respect for being so thoughtful and loving to your wife?

[TBoneTX 48,431]

Yes, commendations on thinking ahead and caring so deeply.

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Thread is moved from Off Topic to the Philippines regional forum, for possible country-specific advice.