What is a social security agreement

A social security agreement co-ordinates the pension programs of two countries for people who have lived or worked in both countries.

Canada has international social security agreements with a number of countries that offer comparable pension programs. These programs pay benefits when you retire, or if you become disabled or die. Social security agreements help people receive the benefits to which they are entitled.

If you have lived or worked in another country, you may be eligible for social security benefits, either from that country or from Canada.

The Canadian benefits included in the agreements are those paid under the Old Age Security program and the Canada Pension Plan.

The foreign benefits included in the agreements vary according to each country's pension program. You can find more information on qualifying for benefits by selecting a country.

For more information on Canada's social security agreements, please contact Service Canada.

Also, if you work in Canada and contribute to the Canada Pension Plan, and your employer sends you to work temporarily in another country, a social security agreement with that country might enable you to:

• continue to contribute to the Canada Pension Plan while you work in that country,
• have the periods in that country considered as residence in Canada for purposes of the Old Age Security Program, and
• be exempt from contributing to the pension program of the other country.

For more information on Canada Pension Plan contributions while working abroad, please contact the Canada Revenue Agency.