TN 3 (10-22)

GN 01747.215 Application for Benefits under the Danish Agreement

A. Policy

An individual who wishes to file for benefits under the agreement with Denmark must complete form SSA-2490-BK (Application For Benefits Under a U.S. International Social Security Agreement). This is true whether the applicant is filing for benefits only from the United States, only from Denmark, or from both countries.

NOTE: Applications for Danish benefits may be filed up to 12 months in advance of the entitlement date.

B. Process

1. When the Modernized Claims System (MCS) version may be used

The SSA-2490 is available through MCS, but the MCS version may only be used when the number holder (NH) is filing for:

  • U.S. retirement or disability Totalization benefits only, or

  • U.S. retirement or disability benefits (regular or Totalization) and concurrently for Danish benefits.

2. When the MCS version may not be used

The MCS version of the SSA-2490 may not be used to file for:

  • Danish benefits only, or

  • U.S. or Danish survivors’ benefits.

A paper or electronic (e-form) SSA-2490 application form must be used in these cases. Form SSA-2490 is also available through the Totalization Benefits Resource Kit.

NOTE: It is not necessary to take an SSA-2490 in claims for U.S. auxiliary benefits in life cases or in survivor cases where there was a previously approved award in a life case since this application would have been completed previously in connection with the previous claim.

C. Procedure — Required Applications

Use the following information to determine which applications must be completed when taking claims for U.S. Totalization benefits and/or Danish benefits under the agreement with Denmark.

1. U.S. Totalization benefits only

a. Retirement or disability claims

In retirement or disability claims, complete the appropriate retirement or disability MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen (see MS 03509.011), and the SSA-2490 screens (see MS 03507.001).

b. Survivor claims

In survivor claims, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen (see MS 03509.011), and Part I of the paper or electronic (e-form) application Form SSA-2490-BK.

2. Danish benefits only (regular or Totalization)

Claims for Danish benefits only (regular or Totalization are MCS exclusions. Complete Part I and II of the paper or electronic (e-form application Form SSA-2490-BK.

3. Danish benefits (regular or Totalization and U.S. benefits (regular or Totalization)

a. Retirement or disability claims

In retirement or disability claims, complete the appropriate retirement or disability benefits MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen (see MS 03509.011), and the SSA-2490 screens (see MS 03507.001).

b. Survivor claims

In survivor claims, complete the appropriate MCS application screens, the TOTALIZATION (TOTL) screen (see MS 03509.011), and Part I and II of the paper or electronic (e-form) application form SSA-2490-BK.

NOTE: Form SSA-2490-BK is available through the Totalization Benefits Resource Kit.

D. Procedure — Required Remarks

1. Periods of residence

If the claim is taken using MCS, all periods of residence in Denmark between the ages of 15 – 65 should be entered on the Foreign Residence (FRES) screen (see MS 03507.008). If the claim is taken using the paper or electronic (e-form) application form SSA-2490-BK, all periods of residence in Denmark between the ages of 15 – 65 should be entered in the “Remarks” section (19).

2. Coverage under the Danish Labour Market Supplementary Pension (ATP)

In all claims for Danish benefits, ask the applicant if the applicant has worked in Denmark after 1964 and if they are applying for the ATP pension. The response to this question should be entered on the Totalization Remarks (FRMK) screen in MCS (see MS 03507.009) or in the “Remarks” section (19) on the paper or electronic (e-form) application form SSA-2490-BK.

E. References

  • MS 03507.001, Introduction to SSA-2490 - Overview

  • GN 01702.110, Application for Benefits Under A U.S. International Social Security (Totalization) Agreement (form SSA-2490-BK)

  • MS 03509.011, Totalization (TOTL)

  • GN 01702.310, Routing of Claims for U.S. Benefits Involving Totalization


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201747215
GN 01747.215 - Application for Benefits under the Danish Agreement - 10/18/2022
Batch run: 10/18/2022
Rev:10/18/2022