[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 64 (Tuesday, April 3, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 17742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8103]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Agreement on Social Security between the United States and the 
Republic of Korea; Entry Into Force

    The Acting Commissioner of Social Security gives notice that an 
agreement coordinating the United States (U.S.) and Korean social 
security programs entered into force on April 1, 2001. The agreement 
with the Republic of Korea, which was signed on March 13, 2000, is 
similar to U.S. social security agreements already in force with 17 
other countries--Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, 
Greece, Ireland, Italy, 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.
    Like the other agreements, the U.S.-Korean agreement eliminates 
dual social security coverage--the situation that 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, the worker or the worker's employer or both may be 
required to pay social security contributions to the two countries 
simultaneously. Under the U.S.-Korean agreement, a worker who is sent 
by an employer in one country to work in the other country for 5 years 
or less remains covered only by the sending country. The agreement 
includes additional rules that eliminate dual U.S. and Korean 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 Korean benefits based on combined 
(totalized) work credits from both countries.
    Individuals who wish to obtain copies 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 www.ssa.gov/international.

    Dated: March 28, 2001.
William A. Halter,
Acting Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. 01-8103 Filed 4-2-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-U