TN 7 (03-08)

A. Preparation

The preparation process for the Foreign Enforcement Questionnaire (FEQs) follows a specific protocol. An average of about 260,000 FEQs are mailed each year. The Regular Transcript Attainment and Selection Pass (RETAP) software captures identifying information about the beneficiary from the Master Beneficiary Record (MBR). The information preprinted on the forms and imbedded in the scan lines contain:

• Beneficiary’s name

• Representative Payee’s name (if SSA-7161)

• Social Security Number and PIC

• Address (including Consular and Geographic code)

• BIC (Beneficiary Identification Code)

• Direct deposit indicator

• Custody code and type of payee

• Disability code

• TOE (type of event) code

• Age 66 designator

• Number of beneficiaries on the record

• SSN X 5 digit number code that denotes the Payment Center jurisdiction, type of file and type of claim).

The selection criterion includes BICs in LAF C, D, E, S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5.

B. Mailing Schedule

FEQs are mailed to the beneficiaries or representative payee in May/June of each year. Because of special circumstances (i.e., mailing problems), the FEQ forms may be sent to the appropriate Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) for their assistance in delivering the forms.

The FEQ mailings follow either of two schedules; annual or biennial:

1. SSA-7161 and SSA-7162 — Annual Schedule

• Beneficiaries with a representative payee (SSA-7161);

  NOTE: SSA-7161s are always sent annually;

• Beneficiaries aged 90 and over;

• All BICs in Yemen (consular code 829 and 849); or

• All BICs (except B, D,F J, and W) in countries not listed on the biennial country chart below.

2. SSA-7162 — Biennial Schedule

• Beneficiaries receiving their own benefits and residing in the countries in the chart below including APO and FPO addresses;

• BICs B, D, F, J, and W, without a representative payee (exception: Yemen); or

• The terminal digit selection for that particular year. SSNs ending in 00-49 are sent in even numbered years and SSNs ending in 50-99 are sent in odd numbered years.

3. FEQ Biennial Country Chart

4. Completed FEQs

Beneficiaries return their completed FEQ forms to the Wilkes Barre Direct Operations Center (WBDOC) for scanning, updating the system, and identifying responses that require action by the Office of Earnings and International Operations (OEIO) technician or the FBU.