[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 37 (Thursday, February 26, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 8833]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4104]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

[Docket No. SSA-2009-0002]


Agreement on Social Security Between the United States and the 
Republic of Poland; Entry Into Force

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We are giving notice that an agreement coordinating the United 
States (U.S.) and the Polish social security programs will enter into 
force on March 1, 2009. The agreement with the Republic of Poland, 
which was signed on April 2, 2008, is similar to U.S. social security 
agreements already in force with 23 other countries--Australia, 
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, 
France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea (South), 
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, 
Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Agreements of this type are 
authorized by section 233 of the Social Security Act. 42 U.S.C. 433.
    Like the other agreements, the U.S.-Polish agreement eliminates 
dual social security coverage. This situation exists when a worker from 
one country works in the other country and is covered under the social 
security systems of both countries for the same work. When dual 
coverage occurs without such agreements in force, the worker, the 
worker's employer, or both may be required to pay social security 
contributions to the two countries simultaneously. Under the U.S.-
Polish agreement, a worker who is sent by an employer in one country to 
work in the other country for 5 or fewer years remains covered only by 
the sending country. The agreement includes additional rules that 
eliminate dual U.S. and Polish coverage in other work situations.
    The agreement also helps eliminate situations where workers suffer 
a loss of benefit rights because they have divided their careers 
between the two countries. Under the agreement, workers may qualify for 
partial U.S. benefits or partial Polish benefits based on combined 
(totalized) work credits from both countries.
    Persons who would like a copy of the agreement or want more 
information about its provisions may write to the Social Security 
Administration, Office of International Programs, Post Office Box 
17741, Baltimore, MD 21235-7741 or visit the Social Security Web site 
at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/international.

    Dated: February 20, 2009.
Michael J. Astrue,
Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. E9-4104 Filed 2-25-09; 8:45 am]
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