What are the prospects for totalization agreements with other countries?
SSA has sought to focus its totalization agreements program on agreements that will benefit the greatest number of U.S. citizens and employers. Over the past 30 years, the United States has negotiated agreements with nearly all the countries of Western Europe, as well as Canada. Over that period, however, countries in other parts of the world, including Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia, have become increasingly important trading partners for the United States. With increases in U.S. business operations in countries outside the North Atlantic region, SSA believes that totalization agreements with these countries will become more desirable. Agreements with Australia, Chile, Japan and South Korea have all been implemented over the past eight years. A new agreement with Poland will become effective March 1, 2009, and SSA is in discussions on a new agreement with Hungary.
