Source: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/F3/134/377/561955/
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 14:16:40+00:00

Document:
Plaintiff Satyendranath Das ("Das") appeals pro se from a grant of summary judgment affirming the denial by the Commissioner of Social Security ("Commissioner") of his claim for underpayment for the year 1990 and his request for totalization of benefits for work done in the United Kingdom ("U.K."). We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo a grant of summary judgment. Hermes v. Secretary of Health & Human Servs., 926 F.2d 789, 790 (9th Cir. 1991). The Commissioner's decision "should only be disturbed if it is not supported by substantial evidence or it is based on legal error.' " Id. (quoting Green v. Heckler, 803 F.2d 528, 529 (9th Cir. 1986)). We affirm.
Das believes that the reduction of his 1990 monthly benefits should be determined by using the number of months he actually received benefits prior to the age of 65 rather than the number of months he was entitled to receive benefits. Das cites Jacobson v. Weinberger, 398 F. Supp. 575 (S.D.N.Y. 1975), to support this contention. The claimant in Jacobson applied for and received benefits twelve months prior to reaching age 65. This twelve month period was used to calculate the reduction of claimant's monthly benefits. Compared to the claimant in Jacobson, Das believes that he is being treated unfairly because the SSA used the thirty-five month period during which Das was entitled to receive benefits to calculate Das's reduction of benefits despite the fact that his benefits were withheld for most of this period.
Das's confusion stems from the definition of the word "entitled." Both 42 U.S.C. § 402(a) and the Code of Federal Regulations § 404.310, provide the criteria for entitlement: 1) attainment of age 62, 2) accumulation of the requisite number of work quarters, and 3) application for benefits.3 We must defer to the Commissioner's interpretation of the Social Security Act unless it is unreasonable. Das v. Department of Health & Human Servs., 17 F.3d 1250, 1254 (9th Cir. 1994). The only reasonable interpretation in this case is that entitlement, and thus the period used for calculating a reduction in benefits, begins when the claimant meets the three requirements listed in the 42 U.S.C. § 402(a) and 20 C.F.R. § 404.310. When Das applied for benefits at age 62, he became entitled to receive benefits. The fact that his benefits were withheld while his earnings exceeded the allowable maximum amount does not change this conclusion.4 Thus, the thirty-five month period used by the SSA to calculate the reduction of Das's monthly benefit amount during the year 1990 was correct.
Das also argues that he should be able to benefit from the U.S.-U.K. totalization of benefits agreement, Agreement on Social Security Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Feb. 13, 1984, U.S.-U.K., T.I.A.S. No. 11086, 1985 WL 167272 (Treaty) ("Agreement"), entered into pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 433, to receive credit for his contributions to the U.K. social security system. Das believes that the Agreement requires the SSA to consider his U.K. contributions in determining the amount of benefits owed. This is not the correct interpretation of the Agreement or authorizing statute.
The Agreement is designed to allow contributions to one system to be considered in determining eligibility in the other system. Agreement, 1985 WL 167272 at * 4. Section 433, the statute which authorizes the Agreement, specifically precludes dual coverage. 42 U.S.C. § 433(c) (1) (B) (i) (1997). As the SSA has explained to Das on multiple occasions, he has a sufficient number of work quarters in the U.S. to qualify for U.S. benefits. Thus, the Agreement is of no help to Das. We conclude that the Commissioner's determination that the Agreement does not apply to Das is based on a sound interpretation of the relevant law.
Alternatively, Das seeks assurance that he will not be penalized (have his U.S. benefits reduced) if he receives U.K. benefits. The record indicates that Das has not attempted to apply for additional benefits from the U.K., nor has the SSA taken any action to reduce Das's benefits based on any possible U.K. entitlement. Therefore, this issue is not ripe for our consideration. See Lee v. Oregon, 107 F.3d 1382, 1387-88 (9th Cir. 1997).
42 U.S.C. § 402(q) (1997) (emphasis added).
(1) is a fully insured individual.
(3) has filed application for old-age insurance benefits ... for the month preceding the month in which he attained retirement age.
42 U.S.C. § 402(a) (1997) (emphasis added).
Who is entitled to old-age benefits.
(c) You apply; or you are entitled to disability benefits up to the month you become 65 years old. At age 65, your disability benefits automatically become old-age benefits.

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