SSDI work credits from outside the United States

If you worked in another country before moving to the United States, some of that work may count toward the 40 work credits you need for SSDI. The Social Security Administration has totalization agreements with 30 countries that allow work performed there to be credited to your U.S. Social Security record. This means you do not have to start from zero when you arrive.

The countries covered by these agreements are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, and Uruguay. If you worked in any of these countries, you may be able to combine that work history with U.S. work to reach the 40 credits required.

Work performed in countries without a totalization agreement does not count toward SSDI. If you worked in a country not listed above, only the work you performed in the United States will be counted.

Key Takeaways

  • Thirty countries have totalization agreements with the United States that allow their work credits to count toward SSDI may be able to access.
  • You can combine work credits from a covered country with U.S. work credits to reach the 40 credits needed for SSDI.
  • Work performed in countries without a totalization agreement does not count, even if you paid into their social security system.
  • You will need to provide documentation of your work history and contributions from the foreign country when you file.

How work credits from other countries are counted

When you have worked in both the United States and a country with a totalization agreement, the Social Security Administration will add the credits together. For example, if you earned 25 credits in the United States and 15 credits in Canada, you would have 40 credits total and could be found insured for SSDI.

The foreign country's social security system must have credited you with coverage during the period you worked there. This is not automatic—you need to have actually paid into that country's system or been covered by it as an employee. The SSA will contact the foreign country's social security agency to verify your work history and contributions.

The process of verifying foreign work can take several months because the SSA must request records from another government agency. You should gather your own documentation before filing: pay stubs, employment contracts, tax records, or letters from your employer showing the dates you worked and your contributions to that country's social security system.

Documentation you will need from foreign employment

When you report work performed outside the United States, have the following information ready:

  • The name and address of each employer
  • The dates you worked (start and end month and year)
  • Your job title and type of work
  • Proof that you paid into that country's social security system—this might be a contribution statement, tax record, or letter from your employer
  • Your identification number in that country's system, if you have one

If you do not have original documents, a written statement from your former employer describing your employment and contributions can help. The SSA will use this information to request official records from the foreign country's social security agency.

Bring these documents with you when you file for SSDI, or have them ready if you file online or by phone. The SSA will ask you to provide them if they are not included in your initial report.

Countries without totalization agreements

If you worked in a country that does not have a totalization agreement with the United States, that work will not count toward your SSDI work credits. This includes work in most countries in Africa, Asia (except Japan, South Korea, and Turkey), Central America, and the Caribbean.

You can still file for SSDI based on work performed in the United States alone. If you do not have enough U.S. work credits, you may not meet the insured status requirement, but you should still file and let the SSA make the information. Other routes to benefits may be available depending on your situation.

Reporting foreign work when you file

When you file for SSDI, you will be asked about all work you have performed, including work outside the United States. Do not skip this information or assume it will not count. Tell the SSA representative or the online form about every job you held in a covered country, with the dates and employer information.

The SSA will then contact the foreign country's social security agency to verify your record. This verification process is standard and does not delay your case—the SSA sends these requests routinely and expects them to take time. You do not need to contact the foreign agency yourself unless the SSA specifically asks you to.

If you are unsure whether a country has a totalization agreement, mention the work anyway. The SSA will check and include it if it counts. It is better to report work that may count than to leave it off your record.

What happens if you worked in multiple countries

If you have worked in more than one country with a totalization agreement, all of that work can be combined with your U.S. work. For example, you could have 10 credits from work in Germany, 8 credits from work in France, 15 credits from work in the United States, and 7 credits from work in Canada—all 40 credits would count toward SSDI.

The SSA will request verification from each country where you worked. This takes longer than verifying work in a single country, but the process is the same. You will need to provide employment information for each country separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I count work from a country that is not on the list?

No. Only work performed in the 30 countries with totalization agreements counts toward SSDI. If you worked in another country, that work will not be credited to your U.S. Social Security record, even if you paid into that country's social security system.

How long does it take to verify work from another country?

Verification typically takes two to four months because the SSA must request records from the foreign country's social security agency. This does not stop your SSDI case from moving forward—the SSA will continue processing your claim while waiting for the verification.

Do I need to contact the foreign country's social security agency myself?

No. The SSA will contact them directly to verify your work history and contributions. You do not need to reach out to them unless the SSA specifically asks you to provide additional information they could not obtain.

What if I do not have documents from my foreign employment?

A written statement from your former employer describing your employment dates, job title, and contributions to that country's social security system can substitute for original documents. The SSA will use this to request official records from the foreign agency.

Can I combine work credits from a country without a totalization agreement with U.S. credits?

No. Only work from the 30 countries with agreements counts. Work from other countries cannot be combined with U.S. credits, even if you paid into their social security system.