Section 202(t)(1) of the Social Security Act provides that certain non-U.S. citizen
beneficiaries will have their benefits suspended once they have been outside the United
States for more than six months, unless they meet an exception.
One such exception is in section 233(c)(2) of the Act. As explained in GN 01701.150A.1, certain non-U.S. citizen 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 Italy who receive regular retirement, survivors, or disability benefits, as well
as those who receive Totalization benefits.
NOTE: Italian citizens are exempt from the Alien Nonpayment Provisions, regardless of where
they reside (see RS 02610.015B). However, see C. below for information on an additional requirement and its exemption
for certain dependents and survivors.