[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 5, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67435-67436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28027]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Agreement on Social Security between the United States and 
Australia; Entry Into Force

AGENCY: Social Security Administration (SSA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commissioner of Social Security gives notice that an 
agreement

[[Page 67436]]

coordinating the United States (U.S.) and Australian social security 
programs entered into force on October 1, 2002. The agreement with 
Australia, which was signed on September 27, 2001, is similar to U.S. 
social security agreements already in force with 19 other countries--
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, 
Ireland, Italy, 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.
    The U.S.-Australian agreement eliminates dual coverage and 
contributions under the U.S. Social Security program and the Australian 
program of mandatory employer retirement contributions known as 
``Superannuation Guarantee.'' U.S. companies that employ U.S. citizens 
or residents in Australia have frequently been required to pay 
contributions with respect to the employees' wages under both the U.S. 
Social Security program and Australia's Superannuation Guarantee 
program. Australian companies with Australian employees working in the 
United States have frequently faced the same dual contribution 
obligation. Under the U.S.-Australian agreement, workers are covered 
under one program or the other, but not both, and contributions are 
only due under that one program. 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 program of the sending country. The agreement 
includes additional rules that eliminate dual U.S. and Australian 
coverage in other work situations.
    The agreement also helps eliminate situations where workers suffer 
a loss of benefit rights under the social security system of one or 
both countries because they have divided their careers between the two 
countries. Under the agreement, workers may qualify for partial social 
security benefits from each country based on combined 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: October 28, 2002.
Jo Anne B. Barnhart,
Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. 02-28027 Filed 11-4-02; 8:45 am]
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