The Totalization agreement with Italy became effective on November 1, 1978. A supplementary Totalization agreement became effective on January 1, 1986, and revised several provisions of the original agreement.

Periods of U.S. and Italian social security coverage a worker earned in the United States or Italy before November 1, 1978, are usable in establishing entitlement to U.S. or Italian Totalization benefits. However, the earliest possible date of entitlement to benefits under the agreement is November 1, 1978.