Individuals who have careers in two or more countries are often concerned about paying into two different systems and potentially losing benefits. The United States has entered into Social Security Totalization Agreements with 20 countries to eliminate the need to pay social security taxes in both countries and protect the worker's eligibility for benefits in both systems. Social Security Totalization Agreements exists for the following countries:

Country	Effective Date
Australia	10/01/2002
Austria	11/01/1991
Belgium	07/01/1984
Canada	08/01/1984
Chile	12/01/2001
Finland	11/01/1992
France	07/01/1988
Germany	12/01/1979
Greece	09/01/1994
Ireland	09/01/1993
Italy	11/01/1978
Japan	10/01/2005
Luxembourg	11/01/1993
Netherlands	11/01/1990
Norway	07/01/1984
Portugal	08/01/1989
South Korea	04/01/2001
Spain	04/01/1988
Sweden	01/01/1987
Switzerland	11/01/1980
United Kingdom	01/01/1985

More information, including the complete text of these agreements are available on the Social Security Administration's website:

http://www.ssa.gov/international/totalization_agreements.html