We have visited the Consulate here in Guayaquil a few years ago about Joe’s social security. Today was my turn. The Embassy in Quito handles the submission of the paperwork to Social Security but you can turn in your paperwork in the Guayaquil office. It was the most painless process that I have had with any government agency in many many years. They only accept Social Security paperwork between 8am and 11am Monday thru Thursday in the Guayaquil office. So we were on the road by 8am this morning and at the checkpoint outside the building before 8:30am. After having our belongings searched, removal of the battery from our cell phone and being wanded we were searched a second time inside the building and had to go through a metal detector. We had most of our belongings put in storage and were on our way to the second floor to submit the paperwork.
The entire process took less than 10 minutes.
We walked across the street to the Hotel Oro Verde to their exquisite bakery for a breakfast of cappuccino and almond croissants.
Honestly the best experience with a government office in my memory and the most beautiful pastries I have had in all of Ecuador, it was a great morning. Sorry I did not take my camera as we were going to the consulate – the above photos are from the internet but give you an idea. This place is a must try as the baked goods are just so darned good.
Finding our Paradise in South America 
We live across the street from the Oro Verde in Cuenca. Their pastries are the best also! they must use the same recipes….I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what paperwork did you need to turn in? When hubby turns 62 in 2014, he’ll have to ‘apply’ for SS. Can we do it online? or do we have to go to the consulate in Guayaquil? or back to Texas, God forbid…
Hi, Honestly the pastires were out of this world…how do you stand living across the street from them?
Not much was needed except to completed two forms, original birth certificate, bank account info in husbands name ONLY and copy of his passport. If you still use an address in the US you can go on line and complete the paperwork three months before husband’s 62nd birthday but we no longer have an address in the US. This is the letter I received from the office in Quito.
Quito, CONS Federal Benefits (fbuquito)
Jul 5
to me
Mrs. Levin,
You should apply for benefits three to four months before your birthday. Attached the forms and below the requirements. You don’t need to make an appointment, you can turn in the documents in Guayaquil from Monday to Thursday from 8-11am.
RETIREMENT
YOU NEED:
Social security number of the applicant
Birth Certificate of the applicant
(COPIA DEL LIBRO ORIGINAL – for Ecuadorian born / ORIGINAL STATE BIRTH CERTIFICATE – for U.S. born)
Copy and original of one of the following:
– American Citizens
o Valid U.S. Passport
– Others
o Valid Legal Permanent Resident Card (both sides)
o Valid Ecuadorian passport or Ecuadorian ID card (CEDULA)
Either have or open a checking or savings account under the name of the applicant in Banco de Guayaquil or Produbanco. Attach a copy of the account slip where the account number is fully visible.
Once you have all these documents ready, you need to turn them in to the Federal Benefits Department in the U.S. Embassy in Quito: Tuesday or Wednesday from 1:30pm to 3:30 pm or at the American Consulate in Guayaquil: from Monday to Thursday from 8:00 to 11:00am.
If you need more information call from Monday to Thursday from 8:00am to 10:00am (Phone number: 02-398-5000)
Correctly filled forms:
SSA-1-BK, SSA-21. (If you are under 65 and currently working, also form SSA-7163)
Thanks,
MA
That’s fantastic ! And yum, the pastries look delicious. Now you can relax and have fun shopping 🙂
Mary and John, well they have the paperwork, hope they like what I gave them. We are staying in this morning, I am enjoying my first cup of coffee and then we will go down to a mid morning breakfast. Not sure I can walk Joe around another mall, we may just lounge around here for most of the day. So happy everything is completed, Nancy
So glad you had a good experience. Welcome to the wonderful world of SS! 🙂
Deb, Happy it is behind me. Now to see when I will finally start receiving my benefits…probably early next year…and what will I do what that extra money, you ask? Finish the house…Nancy
Thanks for the info, we learning a lot from u guys, Guayaquil is my home city, the city that never sleep, love it,
Hi CC, thanks for your comment. We are enjoying our time here. Nancy