Plain English
U.S. and Brazil: Social Security Agreement
What the agreement between the United States and Brazil does, in plain language, from SSA's own pamphlet.
Read this first. This page is mine, not SSA's. I am not SSA, I do not speak for SSA, and nothing here is authorized or endorsed by SSA. What I do is put SSA's own words in plain language and hand you the link to SSA's own page so you can check me. Each agreement is separate, so the rules for Brazil may be different from other countries. Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 before you rely on any of this for your own case.
What it covers
In force: Oct 1, 2018
For Brazil, the agreement covers taxes and old-age, survivors and disability benefits under two parts of the Brazilian system: the General Regime of Social Security (RGPS) and the Regime of Social Security of Public Servants (RPPS).
★ Know what is covered.
How the U.S. counts Brazil credits
Applies to every U.S. agreement.
- SSA says that to have your Brazil credits counted for a U.S. benefit you must have at least 6 U.S. credits (generally one and one-half years of work).
- If you already have enough U.S. credits for a benefit, the U.S. cannot count the foreign credits.
- If you are short, you may qualify for a partial U.S. benefit based on both countries' credits.
- In 2026, one U.S. credit takes $1,890 of covered earnings, up to 4 credits a year (SSA's pamphlet prints an older 2022 amount).
★ Six U.S. credits to start.
Brazil's side
If you don't have enough work credits under the Brazilian system, Brazil can count your U.S. Social Security credits to help you qualify. SSA's pamphlet says there is no minimum work requirement for Brazil to count U.S. credits.
★ Each country sets its own rules.
Ages, payments and forms
- Brazil measures coverage in months. SSA's pamphlet table shows a Brazilian old-age benefit at age 65 for men and 60 for women in urban areas (age 60 for men and 55 for women in rural areas), and a minimum of 180 months of contributions. A man with 35 years of contributions or a woman with 30 years may receive a benefit at any age.
- Brazil makes 13 benefit payments each year, because it pays an extra payment annually. Each country pays its own benefit.
- SSA's pamphlet says you may complete form SSA-2490-BK (Application for Benefits Under a U.S. International Social Security Agreement) and mail it to your local Social Security office.
★ Each country pays its own benefit.
Where to start
- You can apply in one country and ask that it count as a claim in the other. Each country processes the claim under its own laws, counts credits from the other country when appropriate, and tells you its decision.
- In the United States: visit or write any U.S. Social Security office, or call 1-800-772-1213 (8 a.m. to 7 p.m., business days; TTY 1-800-325-0778).
- If you live in Brazil: contact the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal, and the National Social Insurance Institute (INSS) about Brazilian benefits.
SSA says you may need: the worker's U.S. Social Security number, the Brazilian CPF or NIT number, and information about the worker's coverage under the Brazilian system, proof of age for all claimants, and evidence of the worker's U.S. earnings in the past 24 months. Call the office first to ask if they need anything else.
★ One claim. Two countries.
What this page cannot tell you
- Whether your own record will qualify. Only SSA and the other country can decide that.
- Current ages and amounts. SSA's pamphlets show a 2022 credit amount and some older age tables, so confirm numbers with SSA or the other country.
- Anything not stated on SSA's page for this country.
Call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 before you rely on any of this.
★ Ask SSA. Then plan.
Where to learn more
Write to the National Social Insurance Institute (INSS), PREVCartas, Caixa Postal 09714, CEP 70040-976, BrasÃlia/DF, Brazil.
★ Go to the source.