U.S. and Italy: Social Security Agreement

What it covers

In force: Nov 1, 1978

For Italy, the agreement covers compulsory general insurance for old-age, disability and survivors, including substitute benefits provided by compulsory general insurance.

How the U.S. counts Italy credits

Applies to every U.S. agreement.

• SSA says that to have your Italy 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).

Italy's side

Italy can count credits from both countries, when necessary, to meet its eligibility requirements. To have your U.S. and Italian credits counted, you must have at least one year of coverage since 1920. On the U.S. side, SSA's pamphlet says the United States can only count Italian credits earned after 1936.

Ages, payments and forms

• The Italian system measures credits in weeks. SSA's pamphlet says the retirement age is 66 years and seven months for men and 65 years and seven months for women, rising gradually with life expectancy, with other early-retirement and minimum-contribution rules listed. Check with INPS for current rules.
• If you live outside Italy, SSA's pamphlet says payments are made every four months for the two previous months and the two succeeding ones. 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. If you live in Italy and apply directly with the Italian agency, the form is SSA-2528-IT.

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 Italy: complete Form SSA-2528-IT, or contact the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Consulate General in Naples or the U.S. Embassy in Rome, or the nearest office of the Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale (INPS).

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.