Social Security Agreement with former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
A new Social Security Agreement with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will make retirement easier for around 4,000 residents of Australia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
From 1 April, eligible people who have spent part of their adult lives in both Australia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will now have access to pensions from both countries.
Under the Agreement, Australians living in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will have access to the Australian Age Pension, while Australian residents who previously lived in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will have access to age, invalidity and survivors’ benefits from that country.
The Agreement gives people more freedom to move between Australia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, knowing that their pension entitlements will be recognised and protected.
It recognises that many people live and work in more than one country and this requires arrangements which safeguard their retirement income.
The Agreement will also remove the requirement for compulsory contributions to be paid into both countries’ superannuation and pension systems for temporarily seconded workers.
Australia already has 24 social security agreements with Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland and the United States.
Agreements with the Czech and Slovak Republics have also been signed and are being finalised.
