Plain English
U.S. and Slovenia: Social Security Agreement
What the agreement between the United States and Slovenia 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 Slovenia 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: Feb 1, 2019
For Slovenia, the agreement covers old-age, survivors and disability insurance benefits. It does not apply to residual working capacity benefits.
★ Know what is covered.
How the U.S. counts Slovenia credits
Applies to every U.S. agreement.
- SSA says that to have your Slovenia 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.
Slovenia's side
The Slovene system measures coverage in months. If you do not have enough work credits under the Slovene system, Slovenia can count your U.S. credits to help you qualify. To have your United States and Slovene credits counted, you must have at least 12 months of coverage credited under the Slovene system.
★ Each country sets its own rules.
Ages, payments and forms
- SSA's pamphlet shows Slovene retirement benefits at age 65 with 15 years of coverage, with possible earlier retirement at age 60 with 40 years of service.
- Slovenia pays early each month for the preceding 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 Slovenia: contact the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Rome (Via Veneto 119/A, 00187 Rome; SSA's pamphlet also lists an online inquiry form), or any Slovene social security office.
SSA says you may need: the worker's U.S. Social Security number, the Slovene 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 Slovene 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
Pension and Disability Insurance Institute of Slovenia, Kolodvorska ulica 15, SI-1518 Ljubljana.
★ Go to the source.