Basic (09-26)

GN 01765.130 Computation of Romanian Totalization Benefits

When Romania establishes entitlement to Romanian retirement, survivors, or disability benefits based on combined U.S. and Romanian coverage, the amount of the Totalization benefit that Romania first computes is a theoretical benefit amount as if the worker's U.S. periods of coverage were Romanian periods of coverage.

Romania computes the amount of the benefit it will actually pay by prorating the theoretical amount. The pro rata benefit is computed by multiplying the theoretical amount by the ratio of the periods of coverage completed under the Romanian system to the total periods in both countries prior to the qualifying event (e.g., attainment of retirement age, disability onset, or the worker’s death).

In some cases, Romania calculates the benefit amount according to the number of beneficiaries on the worker’s record. Survivors’ benefits, for example, are paid as follows:

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  If one survivor is entitled on the deceased’s record, the survivor will receive 50% of the amount the worker would have received.

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  If two survivors are entitled on the deceased’s record, the survivors will receive 75% of the amount the worker would have received, divided evenly between both beneficiaries.

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  If three or more survivors are entitled, they will receive 100% of the amount the worker would have received, divided evenly among all the beneficiaries.