Q: How does the Social Security program of the United States compare with similar programs in other countries?
A: Many countries have Social Security type programs but there is not one basic international program. Program purposes and policies vary from country to country.
The Social Security website contains the principal features of social security programs in more than 170 countries.
To learn program basics for a given country, go to the Research, Statistics, & Policy Analysis section of the SSA website and then to the publication Social Security Programs Throughout the World. Portions of this publication are updated every six months.
For example, follow these links for information about the social security programs of Canada and Mexico.
Learn about our Social Security retirement, survivors and disability programs at www.socialsecurity.gov. Create your personal my Social Security account at the same time.