Effective Dates: 9/15/2026 - Present

Identification Number:
GN 01765 BASIC
Intended Audience:See Transmittal Sheet
Originating Office:LP PPDX
Title:Agreement with Romania
Type:POMS Full Transmittals
Program:All Programs
Link To Reference:
 

PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANUAL SYSTEM
Part GN – General
Chapter 017 – Totalization Agreements
Subchapter 65 – Agreement with Romania
Transmittal No. BASIC, 09/15/2026

Audience

Originating Component

ANC

Effective Date

Upon Receipt

Background

This transmittal introduces a new POMS section regarding the Totalization Agreement with Romania. It provides an overview of the systems, benefits included, claims routing and processing instructions for technicians.

Summary of Changes

GN 01765.010 Overview and Effective Date of the Totalization Agreement with Romania

This new subsection explains the purpose of the U.S - Romania Totalization agreement and date it will enter into force.

GN 01765.015 Benefits, Coverage, and Contributions under the Romanian Social Security System

This new subsection provides an overview of what benefits the Romania social security covers, and how the contributions are made.

GN 01765.020 Romanian Social Security Benefits – Eligibility Requirements

This new subsection provides an overview of eligibility requirements for Romanian social security benefits.

GN 01765.110 Scope of the U.S. - Romanian Totalization Agreement

This new subsection explains the scope of the U.S - Romania Totalization Agreement.

GN 01765.120 U.S. Totalization Benefits under the U.S. - Romanian Agreement

This new subsection provides an overview of the requirements to meet insured status for U.S benefits under agreement.

GN 01765.125 Eligibility for Romanian Benefits Under the U.S. - Romanian Totalization Agreement

This new subsection -provides an overview of the requirements to meet insured status for Romanian benefits under the agreement.

GN 01765.130 Computation of Romanian Totalization Benefits

This new subsection provides an overview of how benefits will be computed once eligibility is established.

GN 01765.140 Exception to Alien Nonpayment Provision (ANP) under the U.S. - Romanian Agreement

This new subsection provides an overview of the applicability of Section 202(t)(1) of the Social Security Act in reference to U.S - Romania agreement.

GN 01765.150 Filing Appeals of Decisions on U.S. or Romanian Claims

This new subsection explains the process of Appeals.

GN 01765.210 Developing Evidence and Establishing Entitlement Factors in Claims for U.S. and Romanian Claims

This new subsection provides an overview of how to develop evidence in claims for U.S. Totalization benefits under the Agreement with Romania,

GN 01765.215 Application for Benefits under the U.S. - Romania Agreement

This new subsection provides an overview of how to file for totalization benefits.

GN 01765.225 Requests for Status of Applications for Romanian Benefits

This new subsection provides an overview of how to check the status of a pending application for benefits.

GN 01765.010 Overview and Effective Date of the Totalization Agreement with Romania

A. Purpose of the U.S. - Romania Totalization Agreement

The social security Agreement between the United States and Romania:

  • •

    Eliminates dual social security coverage and taxation of the same work in the two countries, and

  • •

    May permit workers (and their dependents and survivors) to qualify for partial U.S. or Romanian benefits, even if they do not meet the normal insured status requirements.

B. Effective date of the U.S. - Romanian Agreement

The Totalization Agreement with Romania became effective September 01, 2026.

 

C. Periods of coverage earned before the effective date of the Totalization Agreement

The United States and Romania can use periods of U.S. and Romanian social security coverage a worker earned prior to September 01, 2026 to establish entitlement to U.S. or Romanian Totalization benefits. However, the earliest possible month of entitlement to such benefits is September 01, 2026.

Additional information on the Romanian social security system can be found at the Romanian social security web site, which is accessible through at Social Security Online.

GN 01765.015 Benefits, Coverage, and Contributions under the Romanian Social Security System

A. Overview of the Romanian social security system

The Romanian social security system provides the following benefits:

  • •

    Old-age

  • •

    Survivors

  • •

    Disability

B. Worker contributions

The Romanian social security program consists of a three-pillar system. The second and third pillars exist to supplement the basic benefit and are not subject to this Agreement for purposes of benefits.

  • •

    Compulsory contributions

The first pillar is a mandatory defined benefit pension financed on a pay-as-you-go basis.

  • •

    Voluntary contributions

The second pillar is a supplemental, voluntary occupational pension system.

The third pillar is a voluntary tax-deductible savings scheme for employers and their employees.

GN 01765.020 Romanian Social Security Benefits – Eligibility Requirements

A. Benefits included in the Agreement

Although Romania pays many different categories of benefits, this section describes only retirement, disability, and survivors benefits. These are the only Romanian benefits included within the scope of the Agreement.

B. Benefit eligibility requirements

This section provides basic eligibility requirements for Romanian retirement, disability, and survivor's benefits, as well as the death grant provided to the family of a deceased worker.

1. Retirement benefits

The regular retirement age in Romania is age 65 for males and 61 years and 10 months for females (gradually increasing to age 63 by January 1, 2030) with at least 15 years of contributions to the Romanian system. Early retirement is possible under the system, provided the worker exceeds the full contribution period by at least eight years and is no more than five years under the standard retirement age at the time of filing.

Additional retirement age reductions are available to the following:

  • •

    Persons who contributed under special, difficult, or other specific working conditions;

  • •

    Persons who contributed to the system while being disabled;

  • •

    Persons persecuted for political reasons by the former communist regime;

  • •

    Blind persons; and

  • •

    Other categories of persons, defined by special legislation.

    The Romanian system requires a minimum of 15 years of coverage for entitlement to an old-age benefit but provides incentives in the form of a higher benefit amount for workers making additional contributions to the system. Additionally, Romania supplements benefit amounts for workers who meet the criteria for an early retirement benefit but elect to defer receipt of their benefit past the retirement age.

2. Disability benefits

The Romanian system pays benefits to three categories of disability beneficiaries. Category I disabled workers are completely incapable of work and self-sufficiency, requiring constant care and assistance. Category II disabled workers have also lost all work capacity but retain a degree of self‑sufficiency. Category III disabled workers have lost at least 50% of their work capacity but are still able to perform some professional activity.

In order to qualify, a worker must be under the standard retirement age, have at least a 50% reduction in capacity for work, and have a minimum specified amount of coverage as follows:

Age at Time of Onset Minimum Contributions

Up to age 20 1 year

20 - 23 years old 2 years

23 - 25 years old 3 years

25 - 29 years old 6 years

29 - 33 years old 9 years

33 - 37 years old 11 years

37 - 41 years old 14 years

41 - 45 years old 17 years

45 - 49 years old 20 years

49 - 53 years old 23 years

53 - 57 years old 25 years

57 - 60 years old 26 years

60 years or older 27 years

The minimum benefit amount since January 1, 2022 has been RON 1,000 ($218.10) per month. There is no statutory maximum benefit amount.

C. Dependents of a retired or a disabled worker

There is no provision for benefits for spouses, divorced spouses, or children of retired or disabled worker

D. Survivor benefits

Survivors may receive benefits provided the deceased person had been entitled to an old-age or disability benefit at the time of death or met all the requirements for entitlement, except for age attainment, at the time of death

1. Surviving spouse

To receive benefits, a surviving spouse must have been married to the deceased worker for at least ten years at the time of death and have reached the standard retirement age or have an income that is less than a statutorily defined amount.

2. Disabled surviving spouse

A disabled surviving spouse must have been married to the deceased worker for at least one year.

3. Children

The following categories of children may receive benefits.

  • •

    Children of the deceased worker under age 16

  • •

    Children of the deceased worker ages 16-26 and attending school or an apprenticeship

  • •

    Disabled children of the deceased worker at any age, provided their disability began prior to age 16 or age 26 if in school or an apprenticeship.

4. Death grants

Romania will pay a death grant to an eligible family member of a deceased worker if the deceased worker was receiving a benefit or was covered under the Romanian system at the time of death.

E. Contact information

SSA cannot provide official information about Romanian social security benefits. Romanian social security information is available online at: www.mmuncii.ro or http://www.mmuncii.gov.ro

Refer those persons who want official information about Romanian benefits to:

Ministry of Labor and Social Protection
2-4, Dem.I.Dobrescu Street
1st District
030167 Bucuresti
ROMANIA

GN 01765.110 Scope of the U.S. - Romanian Totalization Agreement

A. Benefit programs included under the Agreement

The provisions of the Agreement that permit people to qualify for benefits based on combined U.S. and Romanian coverage credits apply to the following types of benefits:

  • •

    For the United States, this Agreement applies to retirement, survivors, and disability benefits. The Agreement does not apply to Medicare benefits or Supplemental Security Income payments.

  • •

    For Romania, this Agreement applies to the laws governing the old‑age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI) Benefits programs of the social security system, as well as to the death grant provided to the family of deceased workers under Romanian national laws.

B. Social security taxes under the Agreement

The provisions of the Agreement that eliminate dual social security coverage and taxes apply to:

  • •

    U.S. Social Security taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) and Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA), including the Medicare portion of those Acts.

  • •

    Romanian social security taxes that finance old-age, survivors, and disability benefits and health insurance programs.

To find out how the Agreement eliminates dual coverage and taxation see sections: RS 02002.760 - RS 02002.850.

GN 01765.120 U.S. Totalization Benefits under the U.S. - Romanian Agreement

A. Crediting Romanian coverage

Social Security Administration (SSA) will credit one U.S. quarter of coverage (QC) for every three months of Romanian coverage (or remaining fraction thereof) in a calendar year. (Romanian coverage is measured in months.)

However, no credit will be given for:

  1. 1. 

    Any month in a calendar quarter that SSA has already credited as a U.S. QC.

  2. 2. 

    Any period of coverage not based on contributions.

  3. 3. 

    More than four QCs for any calendar year.

B. Computing benefits in the United States

When SSA establishes U.S. insured status based on combined U.S. and Romanian coverage, it determines the amount of the U.S. Totalization benefit using the computation method described in GN 01701.200.

C. Adjudicating the claim in the United States

1. Field Office (FO) responsibilities

When a Number Holder (NH) does not have enough U.S. coverage to meet fully insured status, but the NH has at least six U.S. QCs, field office (FO) technicians must take an initial claim to process the insured status denial. This will automatically generate a denial notice to inform the applicant that they do not meet the insured status requirement based on U.S. coverage alone, and that we will request the applicant's Romanian earnings record. See GN 01702.310 - GN 01702.525 for additional information about processing, developing, and routing claims for foreign and U.S. Totalization benefits.

The FO should route claims that cannot be electronically routed according to the instructions in GN 01702.310B.3 to the following address:

Social Security Administration
International Benefit & Processing
P.O. Box 17769 Baltimore
Maryland 21235-7769

If a courier service is used, mail to:

Social Security Administration
International Benefit & Processing
6100 Wabash Avenue Baltimore
Maryland 21235

2. International Benefit & Processing (IBP) responsibilities

IBP requests the Romanian earnings record, converts Romanian periods of coverage on the Romanian earnings record to U.S. QC's, and adjudicates the claim.

D. References

GN 01702.315 Processing Totalization Insured-Status Notices in Claims for U.S. Benefits.

GN 01702.325 Summary of Field Office Development and Processing of U.S. Totalization Claims and Foreign Claims (Regular and Totalization).

GN 01765.125 Eligibility for Romanian Benefits Under the U.S. - Romanian Totalization Agreement

A. Determining eligibility

The Agreement provides that Romania will count a worker's U.S. periods of coverage, where necessary, when determining eligibility for Romanian benefits if a worker does not meet insured status based on Romanian coverage alone and the worker has at least one year of Romanian coverage.

B. Crediting U.S. coverage

Romania will credit three months of Romanian coverage for each quarter of U.S. coverage. However, Romania will not credit any month that it has already credited as a month of coverage under any Romanian system. If the Social Security Administration certifies four quarters of coverage in any calendar year, Romania will credit a maximum of twelve months of coverage.

C. References

GN 01765.020 Romanian Social Security Benefits – Eligibility Requirements

GN 01765.215 Application for Benefits under the U.S. - Romanian Agreement.

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:

  • •

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

  • •

    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.

  • •

    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.

 

GN 01765.140 Exception to Alien Nonpayment Provision (ANP) under the U.S. - Romanian Agreement

A. Applying ANP for workers

Section 202(t)(1) of the Social Security Act provides that the Social Security Administration (SSA) will suspend the benefits of certain alien beneficiaries once they have been outside the United States for more than six consecutive calendar months unless they meet an exception.

As explained in GN 01701.150A.1., certain alien beneficiaries who would otherwise be subject to suspension under section 202(t)(1) are exempt from suspension if they reside in a country with which the United States has a Totalization Agreement. This exemption applies to residents of Romania who receive regular retirement, survivors, or disability insurance benefits, as well as those who receive totalization benefits.

NOTE: 

 

Romanian citizens are exempt from the Alien Nonpayment Provision (ANP), regardless of where they reside. See RS 02610.015 for more information on ANP exceptions based on citizenship.

B. Determining residency when applying ANP

If a claimant who does not meet another exception to the alien nonpayment provisions alleges residence in Romania, develop residence status to verify that the exemption provided by the Agreement applies by developing the following:

  • •

    Residence status;

  • •

    Refugee or stateless person status, if the claimant alleges such status, or in the case of an auxiliary or survivor it is alleged that the worker is (or was at the time of death) a refugee or stateless person; or

  • •

    Citizenship of the worker, if a dependent or survivor alleges that the worker is (or was at the time of death) a U.S. or Romanian citizen.

C. Applying ANP for dependents and survivors

Generally, we do not pay benefits to dependents and survivors who have been outside the United States for more than six months and who first became eligible for the benefits after 1984, unless they satisfy certain U.S. residency requirements (five-year residency rule). This requirement is based on the provisions of Section 202(t)(11) of the Social Security Act. During this five-year residency, the dependent or survivor must have been in a family relationship with the number holder (NH).

However, Section 202(t)(11)(E) makes an exception for citizens or residents of a country with which the U.S. has a Totalization Agreement unless the Agreement includes a limitation on the exemption. The U.S. - Romanian Agreement does not contain a limitation on this exception. Therefore, Romanian citizens, regardless of where they reside, and residents of Romania are exempt from these requirements

If a non-U.S. citizen dependent or survivor does not meet the five-year residency requirement and alleges Romanian citizenship, develop for Romanian citizenship or residence status.

D. References

  • •

    GN 01701.150 Alien Nonpayment Exemptions under Totalization Agreements

  • •

    GN 01702.220 Evidence of Citizenship for Beneficiaries Living Outside the United States

  • •

    GN 01702.230 Evidence of Residence

  • •

    RS 02610.001 Alien Nonpayment Provisions

  • •

    RS 02610.015 Status of Countries for Alien Nonpayment Provision (ANP) Exceptions Based on Citizenship

  • •

    RS 02610.025 5-Year Residency Requirement for Alien Dependents/ Survivors Outside the United States (U.S.)

  • •

    RS 02610.030 5-Year Residency Requirements for Spouses, Natural Children, Adopted Children, and Parents

GN 01765.150 Filing Appeals of Decisions on U.S. or Romanian Claims

The Agreement provides that persons who wants to appeal a decision on a claim for U.S. or Romanian benefits may file the appeal with either country. See GN 01702.500 - GN 01702.505 for instructions on filing an appeal of a decision on U.S. or Romanian claims.

GN 01765.210 Developing Evidence and Establishing Entitlement Factors in Claims for U.S. and Romanian Claims

A. Evidence requirements for U.S. Totalization benefits under the Romanian Agreement

When a person files a claim for U.S. Totalization benefits under the Agreement with Romania, that person must submit the same evidence required to file a claim for regular retirement, survivors, or disability insurance (non-Totalization) benefits. The applicant must also submit the evidence noted in GN 01702.200 through GN 01702.230 when claiming Totalization benefits from the United States.

B. SSA accepts applications for benefits

Under the Agreement with Romania, SSA will take applications for both regular and Totalization benefits on behalf of Romania and provides limited assistance in obtaining evidence needed to support the applicant's claim.

C. Using evidence previously submitted in claim for U.S. benefits

Applicants do not need to resubmit the evidence previously submitted and verified to establish factors of entitlement for U.S. Social Security benefits. The evidence previously submitted for entitlement to U.S. Social Security benefits is sufficient to establish the same factors of entitlement to Romanian benefits.

Romania may use evidence that SSA has already used to establish a factor of entitlement for U.S. Social Security benefits to establish the same factor for Romanian benefits.

D. Entitlement factors for Romanian retirement, survivors, and disability benefits

In addition to insured status, evidence of the following it required to support the application for Romanian benefits.

1. Required evidence when filing an application for retirement benefits

These entitlement factors must be established for Romanian retirement claims.

  • •

    Age of worker

2. Required evidence when filing an application for survivors benefits

These entitlement factors must be established for Romanian survivors claims.

  • •

    Death of worker

  • •

    Romanian social security number

  • •

    Age of claimant

  • •

    Marriage if filing for surviving spouse benefits

  • •

    Divorce if applicable

  • •

    Age and relationship of child for child’s benefits

3. Required evidence when filing an application for disability benefits

These entitlement factors must be established for Romanian disability claims.

  • •

    Age of worker

  • •

    Degree of disability (medical evidence, if available)

 

E. Developing evidence in support of an application for retirement, survivors, or disability benefits

Take the following actions when developing evidence to support claims for Romanian benefits.

1. Researching the types of evidence

When necessary, you can find additional information regarding the following types of evidence.

2. Accepting Evidence

The applicant must submit the evidence noted in GN 01702.200 - GN 01702.230 whenever Totalization benefits are claimed from Romania.

  • •

    SSA accepts any medical evidence the applicant wishes to submit.

  • •

    If the applicant does not want to release an original document, photocopy the evidence and certify the copy.

  • •

    Do not attempt to secure evidence for the applicant or offer advice as to what types of evidence Romania may need.

  • •

    Send all submitted medical evidence and the claims file to Central Processing – International Operations (CP/IO), International Benefit & Processing (IBP) at the following address:

Social Security Administration
CP/IO - IBP
P.O. Box 17769
Baltimore, MD 21235-7769
USA

NOTE: 

 

If a courier service is used, mail to:

Social Security Administration
Central Processing – International Operations
International Benefit & Processing
6100 Wabash Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
  • •

    Complete the Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) screen to show the date the FO sent the Romanian claim to International Benefit and Processing (IBP). Input "Totalization" as the ISSUE.

  • •

    Inform the applicant that the responsible Romanian agency will contact them directly to obtain any additional documents or evidence needed to make a determination.

CAUTION: 

 

Do not hold claims for Romanian benefits for prolonged periods pending receipt of evidence. If an applicant is unable to obtain needed evidence within a reasonable time, transmit the claim to the IBP without the evidence. Advise the applicant that the responsible Romanian agency will contact them directly to obtain any needed evidence.

3. Documenting the File

Document the file to show when a factor of entitlement for a Romanian benefit has already been verified for a U.S. claim.

a. Concurrent Title II claims

  • •

    Send relevant evidence with the Romania claim to the Program Service Center (PSC) of jurisdiction, and

  • •

    Electronically send a certified photocopy of the relevant evidence with the Romanian claim to: FAX number: 877-385-0645

b. Prior Title II claims

Attach a Master Beneficiary Record (MBR) printout with the Romanian claim sent to IBP to reflect which factors, other than disability, have been verified in a prior file.

4. Obtaining the number holder's (NH) U.S. earnings record

Obtain the NH's U.S. earnings record in all claims for Romanian benefits when the applicant is filing for both U.S. and Romanian benefits. You can complete the Modernized Claims System (MCS) screens. The MCS screens will automatically generate a separate earnings record for the Romanian claim.

When a claimant files for Romanian benefits only, which is a MCS exclusion, request an Informational/Certified Earnings Record (ICERS) per MS 02101.004 .

Obtain proof of lag earnings (unposted paid earnings in the current or preceding year through the quarter of attainment of age 65 if the NH is a man or the quarter of attainment of age 61 and 10 months if the NH is a woman). For proof of lag earnings, see RS 01404.005 and RS 01404.018 . For proof of lag self-employment earnings, see RS 01804.100 .

F. Developing medical evidence for disability claims

In addition to taking the actions in GN 01719.210E. , take the following actions when developing medical evidence for Romanian disability claims.

1. Romanian benefits only

  • •

    Accept any medical evidence the applicant wishes to submit. Do not attempt to secure evidence for the claimant or offer advice as to what types of evidence are needed by the Romanian.

  • •

    Send all medical evidence along with the claims file to: Central Processing – International Operations (CP/IO), International Benefit & Processing (IBP) at the following address:

Social Security Administration
CP/IO - IBP
P.O Box 17769
Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7769
USA

See GN 01702.310 for more information on routing claims for U.S. Totalization benefits.

  • •

    Complete the Modernized Development Worksheet (MDW) screen to show the date the field office sent the Romanian claim to International Benefit & Processing (IBP). Show "Totalization" as the ISSUE.

  • •

    Transmit the file without medical evidence if it is not readily available; and

  • •

    Advise the claimant that the Romanian agency will contact him or her, if necessary, to obtain required evidence

2. Romanian benefits and concurrent Title II claim

Follow the instructions in GN 01702.400 - GN 01702.415 to process claims for Romanian disability benefits and concurrent Title II disability claims.

G. References

  • •

    GN 00301.105 Certification of Evidence for Totalization Claims

  • •

    GN 00302.000 Proof of Age

  • •

    GN 00304.000 Proof of Death

  • •

    GN 00305.000 Proof of Marital Relationship

  • •

    GN 00306.000 Child Relationship and Dependency

  • •

    GN 01702.110 Application for Benefits Under a U.S. International Social Security (Totalization) Agreement (Form SSA-2490-BK)

  • •

    GN 01702.310 - GN 01702.525 Actions necessary when applicant indicates work in Romania on U.S. application

  • •

    GN 01702.400 Developing Medical Evidence in Claims for U.S. Totalization Disability Benefits

  • •

    GN 01702.415 Development of Medical Evidence and Routing of Claims for Foreign Disability Benefits

  • •

    GN 01774.215 Application for Benefits Under the U.S - Romania Agreement

  • •

    MS 02101.004 Informational/Certified Earnings Records – Totalization (ICIC)

  • •

    MS 03507.001 Introduction to SSA-2490 – Overview

  • •

    MS 03509.011 Totalization (TOTL)

  • •

    RS 00205.350 Determining Full-Time Attendance (FTA)

  • •

    RS 01301.000 Living With Contributions and One-Half Support

GN 01765.215 Application for Benefits under the U.S. - Romania Agreement

A. Filing for benefits using multiple application forms

1. Totalization benefits only - Form SSA-2490-BK

When an applicant files for U.S. Totalization benefits under the U.S. - Romania Agreement, the field office (FO) must complete Part I and Part II of Form SSA-2490-BK (Application For Benefits Under A U.S. International Social Security Agreement) using the appropriate Modernized Claim System (MCS) screens. The FO must also complete the appropriate retirement, survivors, or disability insurance application(s).

2. U.S. Totalization and Romania benefits - Special Romanian application form

An individual who wishes to file for both U.S. Totalization benefits and Romanian benefits must complete Part I and Part II of Form SSA-2490-BK, the appropriate retirement, survivors or disability insurance application(s) and Form SSA – 2960-RO-3

You can access the special Romanian form in the Totalization Benefits Resource Kit online.

NOTE: 

 

When an applicant is filing for regular (non-Totalization) benefits from the U.S. and benefits from Romania (regular or Totalization), it is not necessary to complete the SSA-2490. However, the Modernized Claims System (MCS) will not allow clearance of the claim for U.S. benefits until the path for the SSA-2490 is entered. To clear the U.S. claim, complete only the first (FINF) screen in the SSA-2490 path. This will release the claim for U.S. benefits for award or denial. The claim for Romanian benefits should then be completed using the Romanian forms described in GN 01774.215D.

B. Using the Modernized Claims System (MCS) version of Form SSA-2490-BK

NOTE: 

 

It is not necessary to take an SSA-2490-BK 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 Number Holder's (NH's) claim.

1. When to use the MCS version

Form SSA-2490-BK is available through Modernized Claims System (MCS). Use the MCS version only when the 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 Romanian benefits

2. When not to use the MCS version

Do not use the MCS version of the Form SSA-2490-BK when the applicant is filing for

  • •

    Romanian benefits only, or

  • •

    U.S. or Romanian survivors benefits

Use the paper or electronic Form SSA-2490-BK for Totalization survivor claims. For instructions on how to complete the SSA-2490-BK, see GN 01702.110.

If there is an existing U.S. Totalization life claim award, do not take an SSA-2490-BK in claims for U.S. auxiliary benefits or survivor claims.

C. Determining the required application screens on MCS for Totalization benefits

Use the following information to determine which application screens to complete when taking claims for U.S. Totalization benefits under the Agreement with Romania.

1. Retirement or disability claims

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

2. Survivors claims

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

D. Applications for Romanian benefits

1. The application process

Along with the Form SSA-2490-BK, an applicant for Romanian benefits must complete one or more special Romanian application forms. The form(s) required vary depending on the type of benefit claimed.

FOs do not take the special Romanian application forms. After receiving an application for Romanian benefits filed with SSA, the Romanian agency mails the appropriate Romanian application forms directly to the applicant. The Romanian agency instructs the applicant to complete the forms and mail them directly to the Romanian agency with any required evidence needed in the application process.

2. Applicant brings Romanian special application forms to the FO

If an applicant brings any Romanian application forms to the FO, the FO should:

  • •

    Accept, photocopy, and certify the photocopied application,

  • •

    Photocopy and certify any additional documents (evidence) the Romanian agency requested the applicant to include with the Romanian claim,

  • •

    Request an Informational/Certified Earnings Record (ICERS) as described in MS ICERS 02101.004 ,

  • •

    Return to the applicant any original evidence documents and the certified photocopy of the application, and

  • •

    Send the original Romanian application and any certified photocopies or additional claims material to the Central Processing - International Operations (CP/IO), International Benefit & Processing (IBP) in Baltimore at the following address:

Social Security Administration
CP/IO - IBP
P.O. Box 17769
Baltimore, Maryland 21235-7769
FAX number: 877-385-0645

NOTE: 

 

If a courier service is used, mail to:

Social Security Administration
Central Processing - International Operations
International Benefit & Processing
6100 Wabash Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21215

 

E. References

  • •

    GN 01702.110 Application for Benefits Under a U.S. International Social Security (Totalization) Agreement (Form SSA-2490-BK)

  • •

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

  • •

    GN 01702.315 Processing Totalization Insured - Status Notices in Claims for U.S. Benefits

  • •

    MS 03507.001 Introduction to SSA-2490 – Overview

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    MS 03509.011 Totalization (TOTL)

GN 01765.225 Requests for Status of Applications for Romanian Benefits

 

A. Automatic status notice for an application for Romanian benefits

When the International Benefit & Processing (IBP) forwards information about a Romanian claim, certified copies of evidence, and a copy of the worker’s U.S. coverage record to Romania, the Benefit Earnings Technician (BET) electronically stores the claims material in the Paperless Processing Center (PPC) system in IBP before forwarding the claim to the Romanian agency. The system automatically generates a notice that the BET sends to the applicant.

B. Applicant requests status of a Romanian claim

If an applicant contacts the Social Security Administration (SSA) for status of their claim for Romanian benefits and states that they have not received notification that IBP forwarded a claim to the Romanian agency, check the PPC system.

NOTE: 

 

Field offices are able to check the PPC system through the Evidence Portal (EP) application. See MS 09701.001 for an overview of the EP application, and to access the EP User Guide.

1. PPC does not show IBP forwarded the claim to Romania

If PPC does not show that International Benefit & Processing (IBP) forwarded the claim to Romania, advise the applicant to write directly to IBP at the following address:

Social Security Administration
International Benefit & Processing
P. O. Box 17769
Baltimore, Maryland 21235 - 7769
USA

2. PPC shows IBP forwarded the claim to Romania

If PPC shows DIO forwarded the claim to the Romanian agency, advise the applicant to contact the Romanian agency directly. Applicants can find contact and other information about Romanian benefits online at:

National House of Public Pensions

IBP is unable to determine the status of a Romanian benefits claim after a technician forwards the claim to Romania. For more information about status requests for Totalization claims, GN 01702.520 .


GN 01765 BASIC - Agreement with Romania - 9/15/2026