Social Security Agreements

Canada has social security agreements with a number of countries. These agreements may allow a person who has lived in Canada and another country (for example, the U.S.), to count years spent in the other country to qualify for the OAS pension.

本文发表在 rolia.net 枫下论坛http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/canada.html


An agreement effective August 1, 1984, between the United States and Canada improves Social Security protection for people who work or have worked in both countries. It also helps protect the benefit rights of people who have earned Canadian Social Security credits based on residence and/or contributions in Canada.

Because the Canadian Social Security system includes a special pension plan operated in the Province of Quebec, an additional understanding has been concluded with Quebec to extend the agreement to that province—also effective August 1, 1984. Terms of the U.S.-Canadian agreement and U.S.-Quebec understanding are very similar, and except where otherwise noted, references in this document to the U.S.-Canadian agreement also apply to the U.S.-Quebec understanding.

The agreement with Canada helps many people who, without the agreement, would not be eligible for monthly retirement, disability or survivors benefits under the Social Security systems of one or both countries. It also helps people who would otherwise have to pay Social Security taxes to both countries on the same earnings.

For the United States, the agreement covers Social Security taxes (including the U.S. Medicare portion) and Social Security retirement, disability and survivors insurance benefits. It does not cover benefits under the U.S. Medicare program or the Supplemental Security Income program. For Canada, the agreement applies to the Old-Age Security program and the Canada Pension Plan. The understanding with Quebec applies to the Quebec Pension Plan.

This document covers highlights of the agreement and explains how it may help you while you work and when you apply for benefits.更多精彩文章及讨论，请光临枫下论坛 rolia.net

When you apply for benefits––You may have some Social Security credits in both the United States and Canada but not have enough to be eligible for benefits in one country or the other. The agreement makes it easier to qualify for benefits by letting you add together your Social Security credits in both countries. For more details, see the section on "Monthly benefits."

看来两边的work credit确实是可以transfer的。所以有些网站的专家说“CANADIAN CREDIT HISTORY WILL NOT TRANSFER TO THE UNITED STATES”好像是不对的。