Effective Dates: 05/06/2014 - Present Previous | Next

TN 3 (02-95)

GN 01732.110 How to Credit Finnish Coverage

A. Policy

The Finnish coverage certification is used to assign foreign (F) quarters of coverage to the FCER.

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    All periods of coverage certified by Finland are creditable unless they are already credited as U.S. quarters of coverage.

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    Coverage in a “FROM-TO” period may start prior to the beginning date of a particular system. A worker covered under a particular system when it began is also given credit for coverage under that system back to the date the covered work began as long as the work was the same type of work and the period was continuous.

Effective May 26, 2012, the duration of the insurance periods show months and days as follows:

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    Insurance periods prior to December 31, 2004, show in months and days (if there are days that exceed full months),

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    Insurance periods after January 1, 2005, are always in full 12 months/year (if the person has earnings during the year in question), and

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    The insurance periods between March 5, 2012 and May 25, 2012, show number of days only.

B. Example

The first period of employment under TEL shows a beginning date of 27.04.1948. Although the TEL system did not begin until 1962, the worker receives credit for work in the period 4/27/48-12/31/61 because his work was for the same employer and was continuous from 4/48 until the system began.

C. Procedure

Follow these steps for assigning Finnish coverage:

Step Action
1 Is the claimant filing for disability benefits on this record?
 
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    If yes, credit all possible F quarters of coverage to the FCER.

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    If no, credit only the number of quarters required for insured status.
2 Determine the maximum possible number of FQCs as follows:
​ Divide the number of months of coverage in each insurance period by 3 (the number of months in a calendar quarter) to determine the maximum possible number of FQCs for that period. Consider any remainder as 1 FQC.
3 Is there a from - to period which begins or ends in the same calendar quarter as another from - to period?
 
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    If yes, determine FQCs for each period separately and go to Step 4.

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    If no, go on to Step 4.
4 Assign FQCs as follows:
 
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    Assign FQCs for each period shown on the Finnish coverage certification starting with the calendar quarter in which the period begins and continuing consecutively until all FQCs are assigned.

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    Do not assign FQCs after the calendar quarter in which the Finnish period ends.

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    Do not assign an FQC in a calendar quarter where a U.S. QC is already assigned. When a U.S. QC is assigned within a Finnish period, credit FQCs up to that quarter and begin again in the next available quarter.

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    Remember that Finland recognizes the concept of a trial work period; therefore, be aware that coverage certifications they provide may show Finnish coverage after the alleged onset date.

 
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    Be aware that there is no minimum amount of Finnish coverage which must be earned before the U.S. can use it.

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    For years after 1977, assign existing U.S. QCs using the flexible crediting provision so as to permit assigning the maximum number of FQCs. (See RS 00301.230 regarding the assignment of quarters of coverage.)

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    Do not skip over an FQC that was assigned based on another Finnish period. If FQCs based on separate Finnish periods fall within the same calendar quarter, see that the FQCs overlap and cancel one of the overlapping FQCs.

5

Is the worker insured for U.S. totalization benefits after assigning Finnish coverage?

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    If yes, process the award (assuming all other entitlement factors are met).

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    If no, go to Step 6.

6

Is the claim for disability benefits or for survivor benefits which could be paid based on currently insured status?

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    If yes, recredit coverage following Step 4, except assign FQCs starting with the last available calendar quarter of each period and continuing backwards consecutively until all FQCs are assigned. Go to Step 7.

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    If no, deny the claim.

7

Is the worker insured for U.S. totalization benefits after crediting coverage following Step 6?

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    If yes, process the award.

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    If no, deny the claim.

8

Do any periods of Finnish coverage overlap or coincide so that FQCs for two periods fall in the same calendar quarter?

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    If yes, forward the case to CPS for evaluation.

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    If no, deny the claim.

D. Reference

Crediting Foreign Coverage, GN 01701.125

To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0201732110
GN 01732.110 - How to Credit Finnish Coverage - 05/06/2014
Batch run: 10/17/2016
Rev:05/06/2014