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Can a Canadian Collect US Social Security?

Published in International Social Security 3 mins read

Yes, a Canadian citizen can collect US Social Security benefits if they have earned enough work credits under the US system or can combine their US and Canadian work credits to meet eligibility requirements. This is made possible through an agreement between the United States and Canada known as a "Totalization Agreement."

Understanding the Totalization Agreement

The Totalization Agreement between the U.S. and Canada helps individuals who have worked in both countries to qualify for Social Security benefits. Its primary purpose is to prevent double Social Security taxation and to help fill gaps in benefit eligibility for workers who divide their careers between the two nations.

Key benefits of the agreement:

  • Avoiding Double Taxation: It ensures that you typically only pay Social Security taxes to one country for the same earnings.
  • Qualifying for Benefits: If you haven't worked long enough in either country to qualify for benefits based on their individual rules, the agreement allows you to combine your work credits from both countries to meet the minimum requirements.

How a Canadian Can Qualify for US Social Security

A Canadian can qualify for US Social Security benefits in a few ways:

  1. Meeting US Requirements Independently:
    If a Canadian individual has worked in the United States and earned the required number of Social Security credits (typically 40 credits for retirement benefits, which is equivalent to 10 years of work), they can qualify for and receive US Social Security benefits based solely on their US earnings. This benefit would be paid by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA).

  2. Combining Credits via the Totalization Agreement:
    Even if an individual does not have enough credits to qualify for US Social Security benefits based on their US work history alone, they might still be eligible. If you have social security credits in both the United States and Canada, you may be eligible for benefits from one or both countries. This means that if you meet all the basic requirements under one country's system, you will get a regular benefit from that country. If you don't, the agreement allows the US Social Security Administration (SSA) to add your Canadian work periods to your US work periods to help you meet the minimum eligibility requirements for US benefits.

    • Example: If you only have 20 quarters (5 years) of US coverage, which is less than the 40 quarters (10 years) usually needed for retirement, but you also have 30 quarters (7.5 years) of coverage in Canada, the SSA can consider a total of 50 quarters (12.5 years) of coverage to help you qualify for a US Social Security benefit. The actual benefit amount, however, will still be based only on your US earnings.

Types of US Social Security Benefits Available

Canadians, like US citizens, may be eligible for various types of US Social Security benefits, provided they meet the specific criteria for each:

  • Retirement Benefits: For eligible workers who have reached retirement age.
  • Disability Benefits: For workers who are unable to engage in substantial gainful activity due to a severe medical condition.
  • Survivors Benefits: For eligible family members (e.g., spouses, children, dependent parents) of a deceased worker.

Application Process

To apply for US Social Security benefits under the Totalization Agreement, Canadians typically contact the Social Security Administration directly. You can find more information and specific application instructions on the SSA's official website or through their international programs division.