European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - July 22, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse The . Consulate stories by Mary Neth Stair writer every month six big cardboard boxes arrival the in fat Wurt Germany a lulled Lull of checks More than $6 checks Are for social Security beneficiaries in tha Federal Republic of Germany. There Are More than a few. Al last count according to Larry a. Van Malar the consulate s Federal benefits officer there were 17,269. The fond picture of the old oils Bach Home relaxing in front porch rockers in t the whole Story Many retirees have left the country and set up housekeeping in foreign lands. Mexico with 61,287 As of december 1985, has lha most. Next come Canada 50,962 Italy 40,2321, the Philippines. 30,353 Germany 17,269 Greece. 16,812, and the United kingdom 12.828 not All of those people Ara american i i ens however says Van meter. Social Secundy benefits go to people who meet the eligibility requirements and citizenship is not one of those. We have Many people who have imm Grajed to the United states from All Over the world and. Like Many native americans when they retire Hoy go Back there la a Strong putt to return to the roots and also he notes sometimes ii is a matter of a better place to stretch lha Dollar. There is a Basic social Security restriction that says that after a non citizen has been out of the country for six months his or her benefits will be suspended. There Are however Many exceptions. One of the main ones is country to country reciprocity if an american Lor example is allowed to receive benefits from another country after he has left then we allow citizens of that country the same. Germany Meels Ifie reciprocity criteria in two different ways through the provisions of a special trealy of Friendship Trade and navigation and its National social Security system which pays non German citizens who live the social Security checks for overseas Are printed and released on the same schedule As those for . Delivery. In tha United states. Social Security checks generally arrive at their designation on the third of the month. When you Are Halfway around the world you can t expect the same delivery says Van meter they reach our office around the sixth. In any month. From his huh floor apartment in Marietta Spain Jim Kant can a la bulb Saharon t Clear Day. A find Tofta to tort perfect place to retire. Applew it s a Beautiful sunny morning says Jim Kan Over the Telephone. I was just out on my 14lh-Lloor Balcony to the Rigett Ace he mountains Lothe left the Mediterranean. Today is so Clear 1 can see Kane an opera Singer lives in Marbella Spain. His social Security checks come via the american embassy in Madrid which forwards them to the consulate in Seville which in turn puts them in the Spanish mail. Sometime Between the 10lh and 15th of each month they Are in his Costa Del sol Mailbox. Marbella is not a typical Spanish town. Is s an area of p. Chic tourism of own your own High Rise apartments super deluxe hotels and High powered yachts parked offshore at puerto Bonus. There is a Large British Colony a european contingent and a sizeable Community of retired americans. Some Sner at the super modern commercialism of the area. Not Kane. Where else would he find Sun and inexpensive living combined with the Opportunity to sing with a symphony orchestra and lots of English speaking theater if there Are any problems involved in retiring in Spain Kane does t know them. The residence permit was no problem to gel he says. You Only have to request it and show some Means of his modern apartment Only a Short walk from the Beach runs around $230 a month which he Linds reasonable. It is a seasonal area. Ii you Are Here throughout the Yeai your rent is about a third of the tourist last year he rented a Villa for just 55 thousand pesos a month. $395 at 139.4 pesos to a Dollar. Many buy modern apart meals. They average around $35,000. Page 16 the stars and stripes tuesday july 22.19b6
