If you worked in
Belgium, you may apply for a retirement pension. A full pension can be
collected at age 65 or a reduced pension starting at age 60. If your
deceased spouse worked in Belgium, you may apply for a survivor’s
pension (pension checks will not be addressed automatically to the
surviving spouse !).
My spouse was
receiving a pension from Belgium and passed away ? What do I do ?
First of all,
don’t cash the checks coming from Belgium with his/her name, you would
have to reimburse these amounts. Notify immediately the Pension Office
in Belgium by sending them a certified copy of the death certificate. You can then
apply for a survivor’s pension.
How do I apply for a
retirement or a survivor’s pension ?
As a result of
the Social Security Agreement between the USA and Belgium and because
you reside in the USA, you request the application forms for a
Belgian retirement/survivor’s pension through the US Social
Security Administration, either your local branch or the:
Social Security Administration -
Office of International Operations
P.O. Box 17049
Baltimore, MD 21235
Tel : 1-800-772-1213
website : www.socialsecurity.gov
Fill out the
application forms, mail them back to the US Social Security that will
forward them to Belgium. You will then receive from Belgium another set
of forms to be filled out by yourself and then certified by the Belgian
Embassy or Consulate of your place of residence. Your pension will then
be calculated in Belgium. Your combined income from the Belgian pension
and other pensions you receive may not exceed a certain amount. Take
into account that the whole application procedure may take about a year.
What institution in
Belgium is in charge of pensions ?
For employees:
Office National des Pensions
(ONP)/Rijksdienst voor Pen-sioenen (RVP)
Tour du Midi/Zuidertoren
B-1060 Brussels
Tel: 011-32-2-529-21-11
Fax: 011-32-2-529-38-45
Information about the allocation:
Tel: 011 322 529 2311 (in Dutch)
011 322 529 2748 (in French or German).
Information about the payments:
Tel: 011 322 529 3001 (in French)
011
322 529 3002 (Dutch)
011 322 529 3003 (in German).
Fax (for all): 011 322 529 2159
For the self-employed:
Institut National
d’assurance sociale des travailleurs indépendants/Rijksinstituut
voor de sociale verzekeringen der zelfstandigen
Place Jean Jacobs 6/Jan
Jacobsplein 6
B-1000 Brussels
Tel: 011 322 507 6211
Fax: 011 322 511 2153
011 322 513
0413
How will my pension
be paid ?
The amount of
your pension will be calculated in Euro and unless you have a
bank account in Belgium, it will usually be paid monthly - yearly if it
is a very small amount - with a check in USD. You will receive
the check by mail
at the end of the month. Once or twice ayear, you will receive a « life
certificate » which you will have to fill it out to keep receiving
the pension. Your signature on this life certificate has to be legalized by going in
person tot the
consular representation or to a notary public, with a picture ID. Then mail the form immediately back to Belgium. Always
inform the Pension Office if any change occurs regarding your address,
profession, civil status or the other pensions you receive, as this may
influence your Belgian pension.
What will the amount of my pension be when I retire ?
You can contact:
Service « Info-Pension » BP 175
B-1060 Bruxelles
Tel: 011 322 529 2531
Fax: 011 322 529 2172
For more information, contact the above-mentioned institutions or
open the following link.
Bilateral agreement between the US and Belgium regarding social security
procedures and entitlements
