U.S. and Switzerland: Social Security Agreement

What it covers

In force: Nov 1, 1980

For Switzerland, the agreement covers sickness (disability) compensation, old-age (retirement), surviving spouse's and children's allowance, and disability insurance.

How the U.S. counts Switzerland credits

Applies to every U.S. agreement.

• SSA says that to have your Switzerland 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).

Switzerland's side

Under the agreement, a U.S. citizen can qualify for Swiss retirement and survivors benefits with just one year of Swiss coverage (before the agreement, five years were needed). Because of that, U.S. credits are not counted when determining eligibility for Swiss retirement and survivors benefits. For Swiss disability benefits, you would normally need one year of Swiss coverage and also be covered by the Swiss system when you become disabled; if you do not meet that, the agreement can help if you have recent U.S. credits (or are receiving U.S. benefits) when you become disabled.

Ages, payments and forms

• The Swiss system measures credits in months. SSA's pamphlet shows a full benefit at age 65 for men (reduced as early as 63), and for women at age 63 increasing to 64 in 2005 (reduced as early as 62). Check with the Swiss authorities for current rules.
• The Swiss Compensation Office pays early each month, covering that month. The U.S. pays monthly. Each country pays its own benefit.
• SSA's pamphlet says you can apply for Swiss benefits at any U.S. Social Security office by completing form SSA-2490-BK (Application for Benefits Under a U.S. International Social Security Agreement).

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 Switzerland: contact the Federal Benefits Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Frankfurt, Germany (by email FBU.Frankfurt@SSA.gov) to file for U.S. benefits, and the Compensation Fund in your canton (or one of its local branch offices) to file for Swiss benefits.

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.