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 6 months.

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 citizens or residents of Japan who receive regular retirement, survivors or disability insurance benefits as well as those who receive Totalization benefits.

If a claimant who does not meet another exception to the alien nonpayment provisions alleges residence in Japan, develop residence status to verify that the exemption provided by the agreement applies.

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  RS 02610.000, Alien nonpayment provisions

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  GN 01702.230, Developing residence status

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  GN 01745.145, Additional U.S. residency requirements for alien dependents and survivors