If you are receiving a retirement pension, disability benefits or survivors’ benefits from another country, you must communicate your new address to the Bureau des ententes de sécurité sociale at the Régie des rentes du Québec.
The social security agreements between Québec and certain foreign countries allow Québec citizens, who have worked in one of these countries (and their spouse in certain cases) to receive a pension, such as a retirement pension, disability benefits or survivors’ benefits, from that country.
The Bureau des ententes de sécurité sociale is responsible for the application of these agreements in two different sectors: foreign pensions and coverage under the social security agreement between Québec and the foreign country where the worker is assigned to work.
The Bureau
- provides information on the requirements that must be met in order to receive a pension or benefits;
- gives advice on preparing an application for a pension or benefits;
- provides the necessary forms;
- intervenes, where necessary, to ensure that the country concerned recognizes the applicant’s rights;
- issues certificates of coverage to Québec workers assigned to work in countries with which Québec has signed an agreement.
Clientele
The following persons may be entitled to a foreign pension:
- any citizen of Québec who worked or who is working in one of the countries that have signed a social security agreement with Québec, or the citizen’s spouse or children;
- a self-employed worker who works in one of those countries (certain countries only);
- a worker assigned to work in one of those countries.
Note
A former spouse (in the case of a divorce or legal separation) may receive a foreign pension from certain countries that have signed a social security agreement with Québec. However, since the conditions vary depending on each country’s social security plan, the former spouse should contact the Bureau des ententes de sécurité sociale of the Régie des rentes du Québec to find out the specific conditions that apply.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible for a pension or benefit, the beneficiary must have contributed to the social security plan of one of the countries that has signed an agreement with Québec. Because the eligibility conditions are different for each agreement, each case must be analyzed individually.
The foreign pension is usually calculated based on the contributions paid by the worker in the foreign country concerned.
The foreign pension does not affect the amount of the pension paid by the Régie des rentes du Québec. However, pensions paid by certain countries may be reduced if a pension is also paid under the Québec Pension Plan.
The Bureau des ententes de sécurité sociale of the Régie des rentes du Québec has administered these agreements since February 3, 2003.
