U.S. and Canada: Social Security Agreement

What it covers

In force: Aug 1, 1984

For Canada, the agreement applies to the Old-Age Security (OAS) program and the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). The United States has a separate Understanding with Quebec that applies to the Quebec Pension Plan (QPP).

How the U.S. counts Canada credits

Applies to every U.S. agreement.

• SSA says that to have your Canada 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).

Canada's side

Canada has two kinds of programs, and the agreement works differently for each. For Old-Age Security, you must be 65 or older and have been a resident of Canada for at least 10 years after age 18 (20 years to have it paid outside Canada). Under the agreement, Canada considers U.S. credits earned on or after January 1, 1952 and after age 18 toward that residence requirement, but only if you lived in Canada at least one year after January 1, 1952 and after age 18. For the Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan, U.S. credits completed after 1965 can be counted toward the minimum for disability or survivors benefits, but only if you have at least one year of credit under the CPP or QPP.

Ages, payments and forms

• SSA's pamphlet says U.S. credits do not need to be counted for CPP or QPP retirement benefits, because anyone who has made at least one contribution can qualify for a retirement benefit at age 65, or a reduced benefit as early as age 60.
• The Canadian system measures credits in years. Old-Age Security is paid for only six months following the month of departure unless you have at least 20 years of Canadian residence after age 18. The Guaranteed Income Supplement is paid outside Canada for only six months following the month of departure.
• To apply for Canadian benefits at a U.S. Social Security office, SSA's pamphlet lists Form CDN-USA 1 (for OAS and CPP) or QUE/USA-1 (for QPP).
• Each country pays its own benefit. Canadian and Quebec benefits are paid near the end of each month.

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 Canada and wish to apply for U.S. benefits: visit or write any U.S. Social Security office along the U.S.-Canadian border, visit any in-person Service Canada Centre or call 1-800-277-9914 (8:30 AM to 4:30 PM local time, Monday to Friday), or for Quebec visit any QPP office or call 1-800-463-5185. To apply for Canadian or Quebec benefits, contact any Canadian or Quebec social security office.

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.