TN 5 (06-93)

RS 02650.050 Payments to Beneficiaries in the German Democratic Republic (GDR)

A. BACKGROUND

1. Unification of Germany

On October 3, 1990, the GDR (East Germany and East Berlin) merged with the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). This unification effectively removed the GDR from Treasury Circular 655 because it ceased to exist as a separate political entity.

2. Notice to Beneficiaries in the GDR

When the GDR and FRG merged, SSA reviewed its records to identify the beneficiaries whose benefits had been suspended because they were in the GDR. Notices were sent to those
beneficiaries in the former GDR for whom SSA records showed:

  1. a. 

    a complete address, and

  2. b. 

    their entitlement had not been terminated.

They were advised of the lifting of the Treasury restrictions and to contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate for assistance in having their benefits resumed. Only one notice was sent. SSA assumed that the beneficiaries who did not respond to this notice either died or moved.

B. POLICY

1. General

Before payments can be resumed to a beneficiary who resided in the GDR, the beneficiary must establish:

  1. a. 

    His/her identity in a personal interview with a representative of an FSP if he/she is outside the U.S., or an FO if he/she is in the U.S.;

  2. b. 

    No termination or deduction events have occurred since the beneficiary became a resident of the GDR (or if later,
    became entitled to benefits); and

  3. c. 

    His/her current eligibility to receive benefits.

2. Payment of Benefits

a. Months After September 1990

Effective October 1990, there are no Treasury restrictions on payments to Social Security beneficiaries in the area formerly designated as East Germany.

Effective October 3, 1990, citizens of the GDR became citizens of the FRG. As FRG citizens, they meet all the exceptions to the alien nonpayment provisions which applied to the FRG prior to unification.

b. Months Before October 1990

Accruals for months before October 1990 are subject to the restrictions in RS 02650.001A.2. Thus, alien residents, and former residents, of the GDR cannot receive payments for any months before October 1990 when they were residing in the GDR.

NOTE: See RS 02650.056 if the beneficiary resides outside the U.S. in a country other than the FRG.

Beneficiaries who were GDR citizens before October 1990 cannot meet the alien nonpayment exceptions relating to FRG citizens for months before October 1990.


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0302650050
RS 02650.050 - Payments to Beneficiaries in the German Democratic Republic (GDR) - 05/21/1993
Batch run: 05/21/1993
Rev:05/21/1993