I was wondering if anybody here can answer a question regarding FICA/medicare taxes. I worked for a year after graduating from a master's program, but still in F1 status so I didn't have to pay FICA and medicare. Those taxes are now regularly deducted from my paycheck and I checked the social security website:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/international/Agreement_Pamphlets/italy.html

There is an agreement with Italy, where I'm from, which states that Italian nationals working for an American company (in this instance American university) could receive a pension after 10 years of paying such taxes in the US, not in Italy.
:confused:
However, the question I haven't yet answered is: if I leave the US before 10 years, would the amount of FICA and medicare taxes I paid to the US social security throughout the years, which would be pretty conspicuous, be refunded to me given the fact that I would be eligible neither for an American pension nor to transfer that money to the Italian social security system? Or should I consider that money lost?? :confused: :confused: :confused:

Thanks so much in advance to anybody who could answer my question

Consider the money lost; sorry!

In order to qualify for the pension, you must pay into the program for 10 years (40 quarters).

If you pay in for 39 quarters, you get NO pension and NO refund.