The most common question I get after someone decides they are moving is not about visa or rent or cost of living.

It is this.

What happens to my life back home?

After helping 170+ Americans make this move here is exactly what you need to sort before you leave.

Do not close your US bank account. You will need it for Social Security deposits, pension payments, and transfers to the Philippines indefinitely.

What you do need to do is extend your debit and credit cards before you leave. Ralph from California said this was the hardest part of his entire move. Once you are on the other side of the world getting a replacement card sent to you is a genuine nightmare. Check every card you plan to use and make sure none expire within 18 months of your departure.

For transfers Wise is the most efficient option. Lower fees than wire transfers, good exchange rates, and it works seamlessly between your US account and your Philippine bank once you have one set up.

You need a physical US address that can receive, scan, and forward your mail digitally. Services like Traveling Mailbox or PostScan Mail handle this for around $15 to $20 per month. They give you a real street address and you access everything through an app.

New bank cards, government correspondence, tax documents — all of it lands here instead of an address you no longer have access to. Do not skip this step.

Do not cancel it when you leave.

Google Voice lets you port your existing US number for a one-time $20 fee and keep it active indefinitely for free. Two-factor authentication for your US bank accounts, IRS verification, Social Security correspondence — all of it ties back to your US number. Losing it creates cascading problems with every American institution you are still connected to.

In the Philippines pick up a local SIM from Smart or Globe at the airport for a few dollars and use it for everything local. Your US number stays alive on Google Voice for everything American.

Social Security pays to international bank accounts without interruption. Most clients deposit directly to their US account and transfer to the Philippines via Wise. Military pensions and VA benefits work exactly the same way.

Anthony from Seattle lives entirely off his $2,600 Marine Corps pension in Cebu with his two kids and has money left over every month.

As a US citizen abroad you still file US federal taxes every year. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion lets you exclude up to $126,500 of foreign earned income but Social Security and pension income are still taxable. You also need to file an FBAR if your Philippine bank account exceeds $10,000 at any point during the year — missing this carries severe penalties.

Use Greenback Tax Services or Bright!Tax. Both specialize in Americans abroad and know the specific forms your local CPA will miss.

Moving to the Philippines does not mean abandoning your American life. It means restructuring it so it runs smoothly from 8,000 miles away.

Extend the cards. Set up mail forwarding. Port the phone number. Get the expat CPA. The Philippines will still be here — and it is a lot more enjoyable when you are not dealing with a banking crisis from a BGC coffee shop.

Click here to start your move to the Philippines the right way.

Travel Well,
Evan Lorezca
The Savvy Expat