Form SSA-308 at a glance
What it is: Form SSA-308 is the Modified Benefit Formula Questionnaire - Foreign Pension of the Social Security Administration. Complete it only if you received a foreign pension prior to January 2024.
Who signs: The person making the statement signs at NAME and enters the DATE (MM/DD/YYYY).
A filled-in Form SSA-308 example: a person completes the pension questionnaire for a wage earner
How to fill out Form SSA-308, box by box
Name of wage earner or self-employed person and U.S. Social Security number
Enter the name of the wage earner or self-employed person and the U.S. Social Security number.
Enter the name of the person making the statement, if other than the wage earner or self-employed person.
Name and address of the agency or organization
Enter the name and address of the agency or organization from which you received or expect to receive the pension. If you receive more than one pension, complete a separate form for each pension.
Partial benefit paid under a U.S. Social Security (Totalization) agreement
If the pension listed in item 1 is a partial benefit paid under a U.S. Social Security (Totalization) agreement, mark Yes, submit evidence such as an award certificate or letter from the agency paying the pension, ignore the rest of the form, and sign your name on the last page in the appropriate space.
If no, mark No, complete the rest of the form and sign it.
If unknown, mark Unknown, contact the agency paying the pension for further information about the pension, complete the form and sign it.
Date you first received your pension
Enter the date you first received (or expect to receive) your pension and the date you stopped receiving (or expect to stop receiving) your pension. Leave the "To:" field blank if you do not expect your pension to end.
Period(s) of employment or self-employment
Enter the period(s) of employment or self-employment upon which your pension is based. Provide specific dates. Enter a "?" if some information is unknown.
Enter only the period(s) of employment or self-employment from item 4 above used to determine your pension which was after 1956 and which was not covered by U.S. Social Security. Provide specific dates. Enter a "?" if some information is unknown.
Voluntary contributions or other non-employment based credits
Enter specific periods of voluntary contributions or other non-employment based credits included in the computation of your pension. Enter a "?" if some information is unknown.
Date you first became eligible for the pension
Enter the date you first became (or expect to become) eligible for the pension.
Amount of your pension
Enter the amount of your pension before any deductions are made to provide for a survivor annuity, health insurance, etc. (If the pension is not paid in U.S. dollars, show the amount of the pension in the currency in which it is paid.)
In a), enter the amount for the month you first receive a U.S. Social Security benefit.
In b), enter the amount for the month you first receive the pension, if later than the month you first receive a U.S. Social Security benefit.
If the pension is paid on other than a monthly basis, indicate how often it is paid: Weekly, Bi-Weekly or Other.
If the amount of the pension is unknown, show "unknown."
Lump sum payment instead of a periodic pension
If you received a lump sum payment instead of a periodic pension, enter the amount of the payment and, if known, the specific period of time for which the payment would be due. If unknown, show "unknown."
Contact information of person making statement
The person making the statement signs at NAME and enters the DATE (MM/DD/YYYY).
Enter the MAILING ADDRESS (Number and Street, Apt. No., P.O. Box, Rural Route), the TELEPHONE NUMBER(S) AT WHICH YOU MAY BE CONTACTED DURING THE DAY, the CITY AND STATE (or Country) and the ZIP CODE OR POSTAL CODE.
More rules for Form SSA-308
You must report promptly to the U.S. Social Security Administration if your current pension or annuity ceases because this may affect the amount of your U.S. Social Security benefit. Failure to report cessation of your pension or annuity could result in a lower U.S. Social Security benefit than would otherwise be payable.
You must also report promptly to the U.S. Social Security Administration if you become entitled to another pension or annuity from any country or foreign employer after the cessation of the pension or annuity you currently receive or expect to receive.
Common questions about Form SSA-308
Where do I file it?
Send or bring the completed form to your local Social Security office. To find the nearest office call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).
Is there a penalty?
Anyone who knowingly makes or causes to be made a false statement or representation of material fact for use in determining a payment under the Social Security Act, or knowingly conceals or fails to disclose an event with an intent to affect an initial or continued right to payment, or submits or causes to be submitted any false statement or document knowing the same to contain any misrepresentation of material fact, commits a crime punishable under Federal law by fine, imprisonment, or both, and may be subject to administrative sanctions.
Sources
[1] Form SSA-308 (04-2025), Modified Benefit Formula Questionnaire - Foreign Pension, Social Security Administration (the Official source link on this page).