Plain English
U.S. and Hungary: Social Security Agreement
What the agreement between the United States and Hungary 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 Hungary 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: Sep 1, 2016
For Hungary, the agreement covers taxes for public pensions, unemployment and health insurance, and old-age retirement, survivors, disability benefits and changed-working-capacity benefits.
★ Know what is covered.
How the U.S. counts Hungary credits
Applies to every U.S. agreement.
- SSA says that to have your Hungary 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.
Hungary's side
The Hungarian system measures credits in days; SSA's pamphlet says 90 days of Hungarian coverage equals one U.S. credit. For Hungary to count your U.S. credits, you must have at least 365 days of coverage under the Hungarian system unless an exception applies.
★ Each country sets its own rules.
Ages, payments and forms
- SSA's pamphlet shows a full Hungarian old-age benefit at age 63 with 20 years of coverage (age 62 with at least 20 years if born before January 1, 1952), or a partial benefit at age 62 with 15 years of coverage. Women with 40 years of service may be eligible regardless of age. Check with Hungarian authorities for current rules.
- Hungary pays monthly, covering the current month. The U.S. pays monthly. Each country pays its own 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.
★ 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 Hungary: contact the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Consulate General in Krakow, Poland, and contact the Central Administration of National Pension Insurance about Hungarian benefits (per SSA's pamphlet).
SSA says you may need: the worker's U.S. Social Security number, the Hungarian social security number, proof of age for all claimants, evidence of the worker's U.S. earnings in the past 24 months, and information about the worker's coverage under the Hungarian system. 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
Central Administration of National Pension Insurance (ONYF), Fiumei ut 19/a, Budapest; website www.onyf.hu.
★ Go to the source.