Canada has established social security agreements with several countries to help individuals who have lived and worked in multiple countries. These agreements provide a framework for the coordination of benefits and the avoidance of double taxation.
The countries that have social security agreements with Canada include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Quebec, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Benefits under social security agreements may vary depending on the specific terms of each agreement. In general, these agreements provide for the coordination of retirement pensions, disability benefits, and survivor benefits. They also cover medical care and sickness benefits.
Social security agreements help individuals avoid double taxation by allowing them to contribute to one country`s social security system rather than both. For example, if a Canadian citizen works in the United States, they may be required to contribute to both the Canadian and US social security systems. However, under the social security agreement between Canada and the United States, they can choose to contribute to only one system.
To take advantage of social security agreements, individuals must meet certain eligibility criteria. These criteria may include residency requirements, minimum contribution periods, and other factors.
The benefits of social security agreements are significant for individuals who have lived and worked in multiple countries. They provide a safety net of social security benefits and help prevent double taxation. If you are a Canadian citizen who has worked abroad, it is important to understand the social security agreements that Canada has with other countries and the benefits they provide.
