U.S. and Norway: Social Security Agreement

What it covers

In force: Jul 1, 1984

For Norway, the agreement covers old-age, survivors, disability, death and rehabilitation benefits under the National Insurance Act. It does not cover unemployment benefits, medical benefits, cash sickness benefits, work injury, and unmarried mother's benefits for persons not subject to Norwegian law.

How the U.S. counts Norway credits

Applies to every U.S. agreement.

• SSA says that to have your Norway 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).

Norway's side

Norway pays through two programs. The basic pension pays flat-rate benefits in proportion to years of residence in Norway. The supplementary pension pays benefits based on how long you worked in Norway and how much you earned. If you resided in Norway for at least one year, your U.S. and Norwegian coverage can be combined to meet the three-year minimum for the basic pension (and the recent-coverage requirements for disability and survivors). If you have at least one year of coverage under the supplementary system, your U.S. credits can be added to meet its three-year minimum. Norway will pay basic disability and survivors benefits that were formerly payable only to residents of Norway if you reside in the United States.

Ages, payments and forms

• SSA's pamphlet shows Norwegian retirement benefits at age 67, with at least three years of residence (basic) or three years of coverage after 1966 (supplementary).
• Norway pays monthly. 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.

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 Norway: contact any Norwegian social security office, or the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo (PO Box 4075 AMB, 0244 Oslo).

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.