U.S. and France: Social Security Agreement

What it covers

In force: Jul 1, 1988

For France, the agreement covers the social insurance system for nonagricultural and agricultural employees, occupational accident and illness laws, family benefits, the system for seamen, sickness and maternity insurance and old-age insurance for self-employed workers, and old-age and invalidity insurance for clergymen, members of religious orders and attorneys (SSA's pamphlet gives the full list). French social security taxes also cover national health insurance. A worker exempted from French taxes by the agreement cannot receive free health care or other benefits under the French health insurance system, so private health insurance must be arranged before the exemption can apply.

How the U.S. counts France credits

Applies to every U.S. agreement.

• SSA says that to have your France 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).

France's side

Under French law a worker can qualify for an old-age pension with as little as one calendar quarter of contributions, but the amount is reduced for workers with fewer than 150 to 160 quarters (depending on year of birth). Under the agreement, France computes an old-age pension from French credits alone and also a prorated benefit from U.S. and French credits, and pays whichever is greater. For disability or survivors benefits, to have your U.S. credits counted you must have at least one year of coverage under the French system.

Ages, payments and forms

• The French system measures credits in calendar quarters. SSA's pamphlet shows a full French pension at age 62 for workers with 37 and a half to 40 years of contributions, depending on year of birth; fewer contributions give a reduced amount.
• Each country pays its own benefit. France pays at different times for different periods depending on the type of benefit.
• SSA's pamphlet says to 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.

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 France: contact any French social security office, or the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Paris (4 Avenue Gabriel, 75382 Paris Cedex 08).

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.