The social security Agreement between the United States and Switzerland:

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  Precludes dual coverage and dual social security taxation for work covered under both systems; and

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  May permits entitlement to and the amount of old-age, survivors, disability, or derivative benefits, based on a combination of a person's periods of coverage under U.S. Social Security and the social security system of Switzerland.

The new Agreement with Switzerland became effective August 1, 2014. This Agreement replaced earlier Agreements from 1979 and 1988.

Periods of U.S. and Swiss social security coverage are usable to establish entitlement to U.S. or Swiss Totalization benefits. This includes coverage a worker earned prior to November 1, 1980. However, the earliest possible month of entitlement to such benefits is November 1, 1980, the effective date of the original Agreement.

The following sections provide:

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  A brief overview of the Swiss system; and

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  An explanation of the Agreement provisions; and

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  Instructions on how to take and process claims for both U.S. and Swiss benefits filed under the Agreement.

For more information on the Swiss social security system, visit the Social Security Programs Throughout the World website.

To find out how the Agreement eliminates dual coverage, see sections RS 02001.160 through RS 02001.190.