Graphic shows different forms of comprehensive individual care benefits according to the Swiss social security system. The Swiss enjoy the highest standard of living in the world and has arguably one of the best social security systems in the world. It even trumps the United States – the richest country on earth? They even include provisions within their system for dual citizens and those who have worked in Switzerland from other countries. Sadly the United States was forced to rewrite the language of its Social Security eligibility rules so they would not be conflict or penalized Americans who otherwise qualify under the Swiss program. On the Swiss side – well, nobody opts for American Social Security and Medicaid coverage because the Swiss system is so much more comprehensive to begin with.
The Congressional Record published a letter published from President Barack Obama recently regarding a bilateral agreement between the Swiss government and the United States dealing with social security. Which is being called a “Totalization agreement” to avoid double taxation of income for social security income.
It is designed to helps many people who, without the agreement, would not be eligible for monthly retirement, disability or survivors benefits under the Social Security system of one or both countries. It also helps people who would otherwise have to pay Social Security taxes to both countries on the same earnings.
That agreement has been recently updated with new language to help protect people in both countries – who would otherwise be penalized unfairly.
The agreement covers Social Security taxes (including the U.S. Medicare portion) and Social Security retirement, disability and survivors insurance benefits.
It still does not cover benefits under the U.S. Medicare program or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
The letter is as follows:
To the Congress of the United States:
Pursuant to section 233(e)(1) of the Social Security Act, as amended by the Social Security Amendments of 1977 (Public Law 95-216, 42 U.S.C. 433(e)(1)), I transmit herewith an Agreement on Social Security between the United States of America and the Swiss Confederation, signed at Bern on December 3, 2012, (the “U.S.-Swiss Agreement”). The Agreement consists of two instruments: a principal agreement and an administrative arrangement, and upon entry into force, will replace: the Agreement between the United States of America and the Swiss Confederation on Social Security with final protocol, signed July 18, 1979; the Administrative Agreement between the United States of America and the Swiss Confederation for the Implementation of the Agreement on Social Security of July 18, 1979, signed December 20, 1979; and the Supplementary Agreement between the two Contracting States, signed June 1, 1988.
The U.S.-Swiss Agreement is similar in objective to the social security agreements already in force with most of the European Union member states, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Norway, and the Republic of Korea. Such bilateral agreements provide for limited coordination between the United States and foreign social security systems to eliminate dual social security coverage and taxation and to help prevent the lost benefit protection that can occur when workers divide their careers between two countries. The principal updates encompassed in the Agreement include amendments to rules for entitlement to Swiss disability pensions paid to ensure equality of treatments between U.S. and Swiss nationals, updates to personal information confidentiality provisions, and modifications necessary to take into account changes in U.S. and Swiss laws since 1988.
The U.S.-Swiss Agreement contains all provisions mandated by section 233 of the Social Security Act and other provisions that I deem appropriate to carry out the purposes of section 233, pursuant to section 233(c)(4) of the Social Security Act.
I also transmit, for the information of the Congress, a report prepared by the Social Security Administration explaining the key points of the U.S.-Swiss Agreement, along with a paragraph-by-paragraph explanation of the provisions of the principal agreement and administrative arrangement. Annexed to this report is the report required by section 233(e)(1) of the Social Security Act on the number of individuals affected by the Agreement and the effect of the Agreement on the estimated income and expenditures of the U.S. Social Security program. The Department of State and the Social Security Administration have recommended the U.S.-Swiss Agreement and related documents to me.
I commend the U.S.-Swiss Agreement on Social Security and related documents.
Barack Obama.
The White House, December 9, 2013.
See information: http://www.ssa.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/switzrld.html#intro
See related video: Social Security just the facts http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHAcy4SNVbo
See also: Moving within Europe – What about Social Security http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7ntV0P1A98