For purposes of the pro rata calculation provided in Article 7.2(b)(ii) and (iii), Norway will consider 4 U.S. quarters of coverage equivalent to 1 year of coverage in accordance with the formula provided in Article 7.1(b).
The new agreement omits a provision included in the original agreement as Article 7.2(c) that had the effect of reducing the Norwegian disability or survivors pension paid to certain persons if they qualified for the pension based on Norwegian national law alone and were simultaneously entitled to a U.S. benefit. Under the agreement, the beneficiary’s Norwegian pension would be based on a prorated portion of the worker’s expected future years (see comments on Article 7.2(a)). In addition, Norwegian legislative amendments enacted after the entry into force of the agreement provide for a further reduction in these benefits if the worker spent a substantial period of time outside Norway. According to Norwegian authorities, Article 7.2(c), in combination with these recent changes in Norwegian law, could lead to situations in which a person eligible for a Norwegian pension and a pension from the United States would receive a lower Norwegian pension than another person who receives a pension from a country with which Norway has no social security agreement.