I spent thirteen years in Puerto Rico, working and collaborating with the apostolates of the Work there. I became a naturalized citizen of the United States, gained an MBA, and worked formally for five years. Returning to my country of origin, I resumed my professional life with a different focus, cutting all ties with Puerto Rico and the United States.
One day, I realized I could vote in the presidential elections and registered to vote This made me consider the possibility of obtaining a pension, albeit a low one, by paying contributions for the years worked as a self-employed person. I asked for information and was told that voluntary contributions could not be made from my country.
Some years later, I discovered that part of my work was reflected in my social security account, so I began to declare my self-employment income. It was not easy. After conversing with a friend living in Washington, I entrusted myself to Pedro Ballester. I had to deal with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the USA. There was an issue that Pedro solved, and I wrote about his help [published on his website in March 2024].
Once that problem was settled, the process with the Social Security Administration (SSA) remained, which delayed the approval of my pension. I knew I had to make Pedro to be an intercessor in each intervention. So I did. My age for full retirement is 66 years and four months. I needed one more year credited. So I did another procedure with the IRS. I applied for the pension and my application was rejected.
In a moment of anxiety, I almost gave up. I told Our Lord I did not want to be voluntaristic and left everything in His hands through Pedro's intercession. Shortly after, my case was resolved favourably, and I obtained a pension at 68, although I was informed, and was paid, seven months later, in arrears. Whenever I dealt with money matters, I succeeded, but only just. This additional income has come when income at home had decreased due to a move to a different house in the same city.
For this reason, I consider Pedro's intercession essential to obtaining what had taken so much effort and time.
AA (Rosario, Argentina)
15 February 2025

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