Taxes

Social Security between US and El Salvador — credit totalization

How Social Security works between US and El Salvador for immigrants. Totalization agreement status, 40-quarter requirement, options to combine careers.

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Official SSA agreement status — verified data

Official source: Social Security Administration — International Agreements

Verified on: 2026-05-25

❌ El Salvador is NOT on the official SSA list of countries with totalization agreements (verified against ssa.gov on 2026-05-25).

Only 30 countries have totalization agreements with the US (SSA data 2026): Italy (1978), Germany (1979), Switzerland (1980), Belgium (1984), Norway (1984), Canada (1984), UK (1985), Sweden (1987), Spain (1988), France (1988), Portugal (1989), Netherlands (1990), Austria (1991), Finland (1992), Ireland (1993), Luxembourg (1993), Greece (1994), South Korea (2001), Chile (2001), Australia (2002), Japan (2005), Denmark (2008), Czech Republic (2009), Poland (2009), Slovak Republic (2014), Hungary (2016), Brazil (2018), Uruguay (2018), Slovenia (2019), Iceland (2019).

Only Latin American countries with agreement: Chile, Brazil, Uruguay.

What this means for you

Your SS credits in El Salvador do NOT automatically combine with your US SS credits
You need to accumulate 40 quarters (10 years) in each country separately to qualify for pensions
Without agreement: no ’totalization’ or combination of credits

Totalization agreement status

No totalization agreement.

What is a totalization agreement?

Totalization Agreements are treaties between US and other countries allowing combination of Social Security credits from both countries to qualify for pension.

Why they matter

In US, you need 40 quarters (10 years) of SS-covered work to qualify for pension/Medicare
If you worked in Guatemala 7 years + US 5 years = 12 years combined, but WITHOUT agreement you’d have only 5 years in US (not qualify for either US or Guatemalan pension)
WITH agreement, 12 years count for BOTH pensions potentially

Countries with US agreements (as of 2024)

US has totalization agreements with 30 countries including: Spain, Italy, France, Germany, UK, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay.

Notably NOT with: Mexico, Central America (except some in negotiation), Cuba, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Venezuela, Bolivia, Paraguay.

What this means for Salvadoran immigrants in US

If you worked in El Salvador and now work in US:

Your El Salvador credits DO NOT transfer to US
Your US credits DO NOT transfer to El Salvador
Each country handles its own pension/retirement per its rules

You need 40 quarters of covered work (accumulated over your US work life):

1 quarter = earn $1,730 (2024) in SS-covered employment
4 quarters max per year
40 quarters total = 10 years work

Does ITIN work count for SS?

If you work with ITIN (using fake SSN or someone else’s), employers REPORT your earnings to SSA under the SSN you gave. If later you get your own SSN (via residency/naturalization), you can claim those credits by combining with the new SSN. Go to SSA office with full documentation.

If you only work Self-Employed with ITIN and paid Self-Employment Tax (Schedule SE), your FICA payment is NOT credited to any SS account because ITIN isn’t a valid account. This changes if you obtain SSN.

What about your El Salvador pension while living in US

Generally you can:

Continue receiving your El Salvador pension while living in US (verify with El Salvador’s SS authority)
Receive via bank transfer or international check
Still subject to El Salvador taxation (can apply US tax treatment with Form 1116 Foreign Tax Credit)

Resources

SSA Office of International Operations — international SS questions support
Federal Benefits Unit at US consulate in El Salvador — if you return to live in El Salvador, dedicated office at some US consulates

Official source: SSA International Programs · Totalization Agreements

Consult Social Security advisor or tax professional with international experience for your specific situation.

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.

ITIN — file federal taxes without SSN — required for federal and most state filings
ITIN-friendly business banking — for self-employment income
Form an LLC to structure business income — pass-through tax treatment under ITIN
Driver’s license requirements by state (DMV) — residency for state tax purposes
Find legal help for tax issues — VITA + low-income tax clinics

Frequently asked questions

Do the US and El Salvador have a Social Security totalization agreement?

No. El Salvador is not on the Social Security Administration’s list of countries with a totalization agreement. In Latin America, only Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay have one. That means your US and El Salvador work credits are not automatically combined.

Will my work credits from El Salvador count toward US Social Security?

No. Without a totalization agreement, credits you earned in El Salvador do not transfer to the US system. You must earn the US credits on your own record to qualify for a US benefit.

How many credits do I need to qualify for US Social Security?

You generally need 40 credits — about 10 years of work covered by US Social Security (you can earn up to 4 credits per year). The same 40-quarter rule is what makes Medicare premium-free at 65 for most people.

Can I receive both a US benefit and a El Salvador pension?

Yes — if you qualify separately under each country’s rules. Without an agreement the two systems simply run in parallel: you can collect a US benefit if you have 40 US credits and a El Salvador pension if you meet El Salvador’s own requirements. Contributing to one does not reduce the other.

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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.

Social Security between US and El Salvador — credit totalization