The Agreement modifies Swiss insured status requirements so that U.S. citizens and
certain categories of non-citizens can qualify for Swiss "ordinary" old-age (retirement)
or survivors benefits if the worker has the required minimum of one year of Swiss
coverage. Switzerland does not count U.S. coverage to meet the one-year Swiss coverage
requirement.
However, Swiss "ordinary" disability benefits have a three-year minimum coverage requirement.
Under the Agreement, Switzerland will count U.S. coverage to assist the disabled worker
to meet the three-year minimum coverage requirement, if the worker earned at least
one year of Swiss coverage.
In addition, U.S. citizens can qualify for Swiss "ordinary" dependent or survivors
benefits if the worker (regardless of nationality) earned at least one year of Swiss
coverage.
A person of any nationality can qualify for Swiss "ordinary" benefits as a dependent
or survivor of a U.S. or Swiss national or of a refugee or stateless person who resides
or resided in the United States if the worker earned at least one year of Swiss coverage.