Fuel Filter Replacement- 2005 Impreza

[Stevo F]

I've got a 2005 Impreza Outback Sport and noticed there is no fuel filter under the hood to replace like our '98 Legacy has. Apparently around 2005, Subaru began to put the filter in the tank instead of under the hood.

 

As the car has 151K miles, and probably the previous owner never changed the filter, I would like to replace it, if it is in fact a replaceable filter...

 

Is there an actual fuel filter, or is it merely the mesh type sock that fits over the fuel pump intake in the fuel tank?

 

If the sock is the only thing acting as a filter, should the sock ever be replaced or just replace it when the fuel pump is replaced eventually.

 

If there is a filter, I'd like to replace it before the fuel pump itself gets clogged up and dies at some inopportune time.