I am a dual US/Cdn citizen, came to Canada at age 20, and have lived here 41 years. I have recently retired. My US Social Security Earnings Record shows I have 18 credits with 12 years of contributions, beginning in 1962 and ending in 1974 (part time, short term employment). In Canada I have had almost 21 years of full time employment, contributing to CPP (plus 4 years of other part time or short term employment) = combined total of 36 years (21 full time, 15 short term – 2 years overlap between US/Canada).
My questions:
(1) How does my situation apply to the Canada-US Totalization Agreement and/or the US International Social Security Agreement?
(2) Am I eligible for a US Social Security benefit, based on my employment in Canada and the US?
(3) Do I file for SS using Form SSA-2490-BK – Application for Benefits under a US International Social Security Agreement? If not, should CPP factor in my US 18 credits into my CPP?
(4) And how can I estimate what the amount of that benefit should be?
I have tried to research this on my own and find it very confusing! From what I have read, I should be able to use time spent in Canada to qualify for US SS benefits, and the ‘Windfall Elimination Provision should not apply because I have at least one year of contributions to CPP, I have paid at least 6 quarters into SS, yet less than 40, and I have worked a combined total of over 30 years.
One other confusing question! Would it be worth my while to refile my US taxes for the past 3 years and pay Social Security taxes on them, in order to qualify for 12 more quarters?
Thank you to anyone who has knowledge in this area and can advise/direct me!!!
Dual citizen, qualify for Social Security?
Moderator: Mark T Serbinski CA CPA
1) You will get *some* SS, because of having worked in canada for 15 years (ie. the credits you are missing to make 40 quarters). Your Cdn work does not get you more SS. You will get based on what you put it, not more.
2) See 1.
3) Yuo live in canada. Contact service canada and they will get the ball rolling. You won't be able to get anything without service canada help, so see them first.
4) The SSA should be sending you (if they had your current address you would have gotten a sstement every year). They can figure it for you.
Wind fall prvision doesn;y apply to you, but the 30 years has nothing to do You simply won't be subject windfall provision because you are not getting much SS to start with.
The agreement makes sure you only pay SS/CPP in one country.
I have written on this extensively here, you can search WEP, SS, etc.
2) See 1.
3) Yuo live in canada. Contact service canada and they will get the ball rolling. You won't be able to get anything without service canada help, so see them first.
4) The SSA should be sending you (if they had your current address you would have gotten a sstement every year). They can figure it for you.
Wind fall prvision doesn;y apply to you, but the 30 years has nothing to do You simply won't be subject windfall provision because you are not getting much SS to start with.
The agreement makes sure you only pay SS/CPP in one country.
I have written on this extensively here, you can search WEP, SS, etc.
After 20 years, I am severely cutting back on responses. Do not ask specifically for my help. There are a few others on this board that can answer most questions. All the best
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, nelsona non grata... and non pro! You have been so incredibly helpful to many!!!!
Still a little confused though ...
I am going to the US for a week over Thanksgiving and thought of dropping in to a SS office to sort this out ... would this be disadvantage?
I started receiving CPP this past July, and did mention on my application that I had employment experience in the US. Would they automatically investigate this and would it actually increase my CPP as it was all part-time or seasonal work? (Note, I have worked almost 21 years of full time employment in Canada.)
Because it sounds like I will get a minimum SS benefit, does it make any difference to apply for it sooner than 65? And, assuming I do get a benefit, does it come from SS or magically via CPP?
Thankyouthankyouthankyou!
Still a little confused though ...
I am going to the US for a week over Thanksgiving and thought of dropping in to a SS office to sort this out ... would this be disadvantage?
I started receiving CPP this past July, and did mention on my application that I had employment experience in the US. Would they automatically investigate this and would it actually increase my CPP as it was all part-time or seasonal work? (Note, I have worked almost 21 years of full time employment in Canada.)
Because it sounds like I will get a minimum SS benefit, does it make any difference to apply for it sooner than 65? And, assuming I do get a benefit, does it come from SS or magically via CPP?
Thankyouthankyouthankyou!
You could stop by an SSA office, but it would merelt be for sparse information.
You live in canada, so your totalization claims need to go thru services canada.
Your US work history has no impact on CPP, thus there was no need to investigate anything about that by CPP, What you need is to have SSA credit you with Cdn work experience.
The SSA has an international webpage which explains how to claim SS due to Cdn work experience. That would be infinitely better than visiting an SSA office.
Your SS will come from SSA. What needs to get done is have CPP get your Cdn history on record with SSA, so tha that can they can declare you eligible.
You live in canada, so your totalization claims need to go thru services canada.
Your US work history has no impact on CPP, thus there was no need to investigate anything about that by CPP, What you need is to have SSA credit you with Cdn work experience.
The SSA has an international webpage which explains how to claim SS due to Cdn work experience. That would be infinitely better than visiting an SSA office.
Your SS will come from SSA. What needs to get done is have CPP get your Cdn history on record with SSA, so tha that can they can declare you eligible.
After 20 years, I am severely cutting back on responses. Do not ask specifically for my help. There are a few others on this board that can answer most questions. All the best
Making progress, thx to YOU!
1) Can you give me the SSA web page that explains exactly how to claim SS due to CDN work experience?
2) What specific steps do I take to get CPP to communicate my Canadian work history to SSA?
My nightmare of months of reading and reading is finally starting to sound not so intimidating!!! THANK YOU!
1) Can you give me the SSA web page that explains exactly how to claim SS due to CDN work experience?
2) What specific steps do I take to get CPP to communicate my Canadian work history to SSA?
My nightmare of months of reading and reading is finally starting to sound not so intimidating!!! THANK YOU!
Nothing about your Cdn CPP choice impacts your SS choice. You can take SS anytime between 62 and 70, the longer you wait the more you will get. Remember that there are certain earnings resgtrictions for collecting SS, that I will let you determine on your own.
The SS website has infor on early disburement and some examples.
The SS website has infor on early disburement and some examples.
After 20 years, I am severely cutting back on responses. Do not ask specifically for my help. There are a few others on this board that can answer most questions. All the best
Discouraged and still confused.
As suggested, just phoned CPP to enquire re having Cdn work history transferred to SSA. Was told that I have to start that process through SSA. Before I actually apply though, I want information to determine age to apply. I thought in the meantime I would at least get Cdn work history transferred to SSA. Since July I am receiving CPP for my Canadian employment ... will this employment history still factor into SS benefit, when I am receiving CPP for it? The SSA office for Ontario residents is Niagara, but they do not pick up the phone, and the 1-800 SSA phone number only works from within US.
I will be in the US next week ... should I just drop in to a SS office and inquire? Can I expect to get accurate information?
:(
As suggested, just phoned CPP to enquire re having Cdn work history transferred to SSA. Was told that I have to start that process through SSA. Before I actually apply though, I want information to determine age to apply. I thought in the meantime I would at least get Cdn work history transferred to SSA. Since July I am receiving CPP for my Canadian employment ... will this employment history still factor into SS benefit, when I am receiving CPP for it? The SSA office for Ontario residents is Niagara, but they do not pick up the phone, and the 1-800 SSA phone number only works from within US.
I will be in the US next week ... should I just drop in to a SS office and inquire? Can I expect to get accurate information?
:(
Your Cdn work history does not increase your SS at all (other than the fact that you will now qualify for it).
You will only get what someone who put 4.5 years of wages into the sytem would otherwise get.
I guess you will need to go to the US side border offices. Your yearly SS statements probably contain more information than you will get going in person.
You will only get what someone who put 4.5 years of wages into the sytem would otherwise get.
I guess you will need to go to the US side border offices. Your yearly SS statements probably contain more information than you will get going in person.
After 20 years, I am severely cutting back on responses. Do not ask specifically for my help. There are a few others on this board that can answer most questions. All the best