U.S. and Uruguay: Social Security Agreement

What it covers

In force: Nov 1, 2018

For Uruguay, the agreement covers contributory benefits for disability, old-age and survivors managed by the Banco de Prevision Social (Social Security Bank) and several other funds (the notarial fund, the university professionals' fund, the banking fund, the police fund and the armed forces fund). SSA's pamphlet lists them all.

How the U.S. counts Uruguay credits

Applies to every U.S. agreement.

• SSA says that to have your Uruguay 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).

Uruguay's side

The Uruguayan system measures coverage in months; SSA's pamphlet says three months of Uruguayan coverage equals one U.S. credit. If you do not have enough work credits under the Uruguayan system, Uruguay can count your U.S. credits to help you qualify, and there is no minimum work requirement for Uruguay to count U.S. credits.

Ages, payments and forms

• SSA's pamphlet shows a full Uruguayan retirement benefit at age 60 with a minimum of 30 years of contributions, with other rules for women with children, teachers and hazardous work, and a deferred benefit at age 70 with at least 15 years of contributions.
• The Uruguayan Social Insurance Bank pays each 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.

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 Uruguay: contact the Federal Benefits Unit (Costa Rica), which works by appointment only (phone (506) 2519-2000), about U.S. benefits, and the Banco de Prevision Social (BPS) about Uruguayan 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.