Portugal’s Social Security Attaché for the US to hold free information sessions in R.I.
PROVIDENCE – Do you have any questions regarding Portuguese pensions?
Ana Relvas, the Social Security Attaché for the United States, who serves as a liaison between the Portuguese community and the Portuguese Social Security system, will be in Rhode Island this month to help individuals learn more about the pension benefits available to them.
On Friday, May 24, she will hold a conference/briefing at 6 p.m. at the Holy Ghost Brotherhood Mariense hall, located at 846 Broadway, East Providence.
The next day she will hold a similar event at 11 a.m. at the Clube Juventude Lusitana, located at 10 Chase St., Cumberland.
The events are supported by the Vice Consulate of Portugal in Providence. Since there are no residency requirements individuals who live outside of Rhode Island can attend the free events.
When it comes to Social Security, the United States has a Totalization Agreement with Portugal.
If individuals have social security credits in both the United States and Portugal, they may be eligible for benefits from one or both countries. If they meet all the basic requirements under one country’s system, they will get a regular benefit from that country.
What’s Ana Relvas’ mission in the United States?
Relvas serves as a mediator in dealing with issues between Portuguese community members and Portuguese Social Security, facilitating access to relevant information about their rights and obligations.
In that capacity, she can provide relevant information about Social Security eligibility, including retirement, disability benefits and survivors’ pension. She can also provide guidance regarding the Social Security Agreement between the United States of America and the Portuguese Republic of Portugal and assistance with applying for retirement benefits online (Social Security Direct), among other things.
What information should you have readily available?
When requesting assistance, you will need to provide the following information: Your full name, date of birth, social security number and Tax Identification Number, as well as preferred method of contact (e-mail address and phone number), and any relevant information about the subject you wish to discuss.
How to contact Ana Relvas?
Ana Relvas can be contacted through the Portuguese Embassy in Washington or any of the Portuguese Consulates in the United States of America. She can also be contacted directly at Adido-SS-EUA@seg-social.pt or by calling 973-643-2328.
This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Portugal’s Social Security Attaché for the US to hold information sessions
