Glossary
Social Security Agreement (SSA)
A bilateral treaty letting posted workers pay social security in only one country, usually home, via a Certificate of Coverage. India has roughly 20 active SSAs.
SSAs prevent double social-security contributions for cross-border assignees. The home country’s coverage counts in the host country too, for a defined posting period (commonly up to 36 months, sometimes extendable).
India’s SSA network covers most major sending markets. The UK–India Double Contributions Convention — functionally an SSA — was signed 10 February 2026 and took effect 15 July 2026, alongside the UK–India CETA trade deal.
Why it matters now: check whether the assignee’s home country has a live SSA with India before assuming Para 83 exposure. It changes the PF cost line materially.