Moldovans who worked legally in Canada, Moldova to be able to receive pensions from both states

Moldovan citizens who have worked legally in Canada and Moldova will be able to receive pensions from both states. The Agreement on Social Security between the two countries and the Administrative Arrangement for its implementation were signed in Ottawa, Canada, today.

On behalf of Moldova, the document was signed by Labour and Social Protection Minister Natalia Plugaru, and on behalf of Canada, by Minister of State for Seniors Stephanie McLean.

“The Moldovan Diaspora in Canada is active and united, and through this agreement, we ensure that their work and contributions are recognized and protected. This is an important step through which we strengthen our connection with our citizens abroad and provide them greater security for the future,” said Natalia Plugaru.

The agreement establishes a modern mechanism for cooperation in the field of social security and sets a new framework of guarantees for people who work or have worked and/or reside in one of the two states. Based on this agreement, citizens will be able to receive old-age pensions, disability pensions caused by general illnesses, disability pensions and benefits resulting from work accidents or occupational diseases, as well as survivors’ pensions.

The document also provides for the possibility of exporting pensions and totalizing insurance periods completed in Moldova and in Canada, in situations where a person does not meet the minimum contribution period required for the granting of a pension. In such cases, beneficiaries will be able to get a pension proportional to the contributions paid in each of the two states.

Also today, the Administrative Arrangement was signed, in order to facilitate the implementation of the Social Security Agreement, as well as communication between the competent institutions in ensuring the social rights of citizens of both states. The document was signed by Head of the National Social Insurance House of Moldova Elena Tibirna and the representative of the competent authority from Canada.

After the signing, Moldova and Canada will initiate the necessary internal procedures for the ratification of the document. The Administrative Arrangement will enter into force simultaneously with the Agreement and will remain applicable for its entire duration of validity.

Presently, Moldova has concluded social security agreements with 20 states, of which 18 are already in force for the establishment of social rights.

According to data from the 2021 Canadian census, 20,456 Canadian citizens declared that they had origins in Moldova. According to estimates from Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, between 40,000 and 50,000 Canadians of Moldovan origin live in the country. The Moldovan community is concentrated mainly in the cities of Montreal (Quebec) and Toronto (Ontario). Smaller communities are found in Calgary (Alberta) and Vancouver (British Columbia).