The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

10.19.5.20 Totalising to Qualify for a Belgian Pension

Totalising for a Belgian pension

Article 12 of the Agreement provides for totalisation in order to qualify for a Belgian pension.

Where necessary, Belgium counts periods of Australian working life residence as Belgian insurance periods when totalising for certain Belgian pensions, e.g. 'anticipated' (early) pension and 'minimum pension'.

When entitlement to a Belgian pension is conditional on insurance periods being accrued in a particular occupation, e.g. miners or seamen, only periods of Australian working life residence in that occupation can be used to totalise for that pension.

When totalised periods (in both countries) do not result in an entitlement to such a Belgian (e.g. miner's or seaman's) pension, the beneficiary may be entitled, in respect of those periods, to a 'normal' pension for salaried workers.

Act reference: SS(IntAgree)Act Schedule 18 Belgium

Last reviewed: 9 November 2015

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