Totalization Agreements

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Do you advise on coordinating benefits between Spain’s Social Security system and the US Social Security system?

Hi there, Yes, we can help provide you with the information needed to coordinate with foreign countries. The US has “totalization agreements” with a number of other countries that coordinate Social Security coverage and benefit payments for individuals who have worked in both countries. You can learn more here. And for personalized advice, you can…

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How will my foreign pension impact my Social Security benefits?

Full question: I am a 72 year old dual UK-US citizen and draw about $2,000 in US Social Security monthly and pay taxes in the UK on an income of about $60K, including the US social security amount. I still work and I pay into a defined contribution pension scheme valued at about $50K, at…

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I am a French citizen working in the US. What will my retirement look like?

Full question: Hi I am a French citizen working in the US since 2010. I planned to retire from France in June 2030 and then in the US in November 2030 (67 yrs old). Can I claim the French US treaty to “avoid” the WEP?  Hi there! There are many aspects to the Social Security…

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I have a foreign pension and I have 36 US work credits. Am I eligible for Social Security?

Full question: If I have 36 points in US Social Security, and have a pension from European countries that have totalization agreement with US, will I avoid the WEP if I DON’T fulfill the 10 year rule/40 points minimum, or will I be not eligible for US pension at all? Hi there, If you do…

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Will my benefit be reduced based on my foreign pension?

Full question: I worked in Sweden 21 years before coming to America. I have full credits to qualify for each independently. My Swedish earning were not used to calculate my benefit amount for SS, only my US earnings. But my benefit has been reduced based on my Swedish pension. Is this correct? Hi there, We…

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We are dual US-UK citizens. What benefits are we eligible for under the totalization agreement?

Full question: My husband and I are dual US-UK citizens living in the UK since 1996. We are unable to forecast my husband’s retirement benefit, as the SSA online tools only provide for citizens who have earned a minimum of 40 credits and need to calculate WEP. In my husband’s case, he did not earn…

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