How long do I have to work in US to get back SS I paid into

Hi and thanks in advance for any replies guys!

I'm just wondering if I work in the US then return to Canada.. how many years must I have worked in the US to get the SS benefits that I paid into? I remember hearing 10 years.. not sure though. Also, are there any other things that I'm paying into that I should ask HR to NOT pay into since I'm not American? I know you can't opt out of SS but maybe there's something else.. I don't really analyze my checks... too many numbers and whatnot. I know I'm lazy!

It is 10 years, I recently rec'd a statement from the SSA and it said IF I was currently eligible for benefits, I would receive something like $64. BUT, I'm not eligible because I haven't been working in the US long enough. You need 10 years to pay into it.

You can check your statement on the SSA website http://www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement/

And I don't think you can opt out of any payroll deductions unforuntately. But ask your Payroll department, they will have all the information and laws there.

In order to get at leat some SS back, you need to work 1.5 years (6 quarters) not 10. This 6 quarters would be combined with your Cdn work experience (ie. your CPP contributions). If this number adds to 10 years, you will get SS.

This is a benefit of the Totalization agreement, which overides the SSA rules.

Because you have workedor will work in canada, you do NOT require 10 years of SS payments in US to collect. Your Cdn work history counts toward qualification, but not towards the amount you would get. So as reba sez, she is only eligible for a little, but she is eligible -- if she worked a few years in canada. (In any event reba will be getting SS based on her spouse -- whatever he gaets, she will get half of this in addistion)


Another canuckabroad misconception bites the dust.

It's a good idea to have a read of this: http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreem ... anada.html