embassy events 2008 

U.S. Embassy Opens newly expanded Federal Benefits Unit

5 June 2008

On June 4, 2008, Ambassador Victor Ashe presided over the official opening of the new office space for the Federal Benefits unit in the United States Embassy in Warsaw.  This newly expanded office within the Consular section has 6 full-time staff dedicated to serving Social Security and other federal benefits recipients in Poland and surrounding countries.  The Federal Benefits unit is also the key United States Embassy office responsible for implementing the U.S./Poland Social Security Totalization agreement which was signed in April, 2008, by Ambassador Ashe and Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Jolanta Fedak.

When implemented, the totalization agreement will allow for the combining of ZUS/KRUS and Social Security coverage, and eliminate double ZUS/KRUS and Social Security taxation.  Also, for many Polish Social Security beneficiaries and their family members, the agreement will protect their right to Social Security benefits, even if they reside outside of the United States.