TN 2 (02-20)

GN 03316.090 Disclosure Without Consent to Social Security Agencies of Foreign Countries that are Parties to Totalization Agreements

Section 233 of the Social Security Act (Act) (42 U.S.C. § 433) authorizes the President of the United States to enter into totalization agreements with other countries to coordinate the Social Security systems of both countries. These agreements help fill gaps in benefit protection for workers who divide their careers between the United States and another country. Such workers may fail to qualify for Social Security benefits from the United States or the other country because they have not worked long enough to meet minimum eligibility requirements. Under these agreements, each country can count credits earned under the other country’s system, if this will help the worker meet the minimum length-of-work requirements to qualify. The agreements also provide that each country will assist the other in implementing and administering the agreement.

A. Totalization agreements

We may disclose information to the social security agency of a foreign country to carry out the purpose of an international social security agreement entered between the United States and the other country, pursuant to section 233 of the Act. We may disclose relevant tax and non-tax return information from any system of records that contains a routine use permitting disclosure to social security agencies of foreign countries. You can view a full listing of all of our systems of records and their routine uses at https://www.ssa.gov/privacy/sorn.html.

For additional information about disclosure of information to totalization countries, see GN 01702.510.

B. Mutual assistance arrangements

Consistent with section 233 of the Act, we enter into mutual assistance arrangements with the social security agencies of certain countries with which we have totalization agreements. Under these arrangements, the foreign agency assists us in administering its programs in the foreign country and we provide reciprocal services for the foreign country. This arrangement includes, but may not be limited to, providing services such as post-entitlement reviews, program and operational studies, and integrity reviews and evaluations. See GN 01703.000 more information on totalization arrangements.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0203316090
GN 03316.090 - Disclosure Without Consent to Social Security Agencies of Foreign Countries that are Parties to Totalization Agreements - 02/06/2020
Batch run: 02/06/2020
Rev:02/06/2020