The Social Security agreement between the United States and Belgium:

1. 1. 

   eliminates dual Social Security coverage and taxation of the same work, and

2. 2. 

   permits workers (and their family members) to qualify for partial U.S. or Belgian benefits, even though they do not meet the normal insured status requirements.

The following sections:

1. 1. 

   give a brief overview of the Belgian system,

2. 2. 

   explain the provisions of the agreement, and

3. 3. 

   provide instructions on how to take and process claims for both U.S. and Belgian benefits filed under the agreement.