It depends on when the Polish agency (ZUS or KRUS) provides us with the certification of the periods of insurance in Poland. It usually takes from 2 up to 12 months.

Yes, the premiums are deducted from all sources of income. For details and current rates please contact NFZ.

If you have received correspondence from SSA please read it carefully. It may contain important information on suspension of your benefits. Otherwise, please follow the instructions on our Reporting Changes and requesting Post Entitlement Actions section.

It differs depending on the type of benefits you want to apply for. The minimum number of credits required for benefits based on combined periods of coverage in the U.S. and Poland is 6. Please refer to the Benefits section for more information.

Yes. Please follow the guidelines in the Reporting Changes section.

The retirement age differs depending on the type of benefits for which you apply. Please refer to the Benefits section for more information.

If the letter or form is in English and there is no translation provided please ask someone who speaks English to help you translate it. If the form is in Polish or there is a Polish translation provided please carefully read and follow the instruction. In complex matters you can request assistance of the Federal Benefits Unit but please bear in mind that we do not routinely provide translation services.

If you receive retirement benefits based on your own work in the U.S. and neither your U.S. nor Polish benefits were based on combined periods of work in both countries, your Polish retirement benefit will affect the amount you are getting from SSA. Please make sure you inform the Federal Benefits Unit immediately once you are awarded Polish benefits to avoid possible overpayment of U.S. benefits. Please follow the guidelines in the Reporting Changes section.

No.

Please check the entries on your Medicare insurance card. If both Part A and Part B are listed it means that the monthly premiums may be deducted from your SSA benefits. If you want to have Part B insurance terminated you can request it by filling out the form CMS-1763 and send it to the Federal Benefits Unit. Please note that Medicare insurance Part A (hospital insurance) is free of charge.

Yes, but your work can affect your right to benefit payments. If you are below full retirement age and engage in self-employment or work for a Polish employer for more than 45 hours you may not be eligible for payments. Please go here to read more about it.

No. Your benefits will remain reduced.

Yes. Although SSA promotes electronic fund transfer to bank accounts, it is possible to receive benefits in a form of a paper check delivered to your mailing address in Poland.

There is no minimum amount. It depends on the number of years you or your family member worked in the U.S., the amounts of taxed earnings in each year and your age.