Since a worker is insured for Belgian retirement and survivors benefits with as little
as one year of coverage, Belgium will normally not need to consider U.S. coverage
when determining entitlement to these benefits.
However, as indicated in GN 01713.020, miners and seamen are eligible for unreduced Belgian retirement benefits at an earlier
age than other workers if they have worked a specified number of years in those occupations.
Under the agreement, U.S. periods of coverage based on work in the same occupation
may be used to meet the applicable length of coverage requirement for the miner’s
and seamen’s benefits.