SSA may combine an individual’s U.S. and foreign earnings from a country when the
U.S. has entered into a totalization agreement with that country. The NH must have
at least 6 U.S. quarters of coverage (QC) to be eligible for totalization benefits
(see GN 01703.100). The Division of International Operations (DIO) is responsible for adjudicating
all claims for totalization where the NH has at least 6 QCs, but not enough to be
insured for U.S. benefits and meets all other requirements.