Social Security Questions Answered

Social Security is a federal insurance program that provides financial benefits to retired workers, disabled individuals, and families of deceased workers. It's funded through payroll taxes (FICA) and provides monthly payments to eligible beneficiaries. The program includes retirement benefits, disability insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Medicare health insurance.

Social Security is primarily funded through payroll taxes under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). Employees and employers each pay 6.2% of wages (up to the annual wage base limit) for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare. Self-employed individuals pay both portions (12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare) through the Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA).

No, Social Security Guide is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Social Security Administration (SSA) or any government agency. We provide free educational content to help people understand Social Security benefits. For official information and to apply for benefits, visit SSA.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.

To create a my Social Security account, visit SSA.gov and click 'Sign In/Up' in the top right corner. You'll need to provide personal information, verify your identity, and create login credentials. This free account lets you view your earnings record, estimate future benefits, request a replacement Social Security card, and manage your benefits if you're already receiving them.

Full retirement age (FRA) is the age when you can claim 100% of your calculated Social Security retirement benefit. For people born in 1960 or later, FRA is 67. For those born between 1955-1959, it ranges from 66 and 2 months to 66 and 10 months. You can claim benefits as early as age 62, but they'll be permanently reduced. Delaying past FRA (up to age 70) increases your monthly benefit by approximately 8% per year.

Your Social Security retirement benefit is based on your highest 35 years of earnings, adjusted for inflation. The average monthly benefit in 2025 is approximately $1,907, but individual amounts vary widely. You can get a personalized estimate by creating a my Social Security account at SSA.gov, which shows your earnings record and projected benefits at different claiming ages.

Yes, you can work while receiving Social Security retirement benefits. However, if you're under full retirement age and earn more than the annual limit ($22,320 in 2025), your benefits will be temporarily reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above the limit. In the year you reach FRA, the limit is higher ($59,520 in 2025) and benefits are reduced $1 for every $3 earned. Once you reach FRA, there's no earnings limit and your benefits won't be reduced regardless of how much you earn.

This depends on your individual circumstances including health, financial needs, life expectancy, and whether you're still working. Taking benefits at 62 results in a 25-30% permanent reduction compared to your full retirement age benefit. Waiting until age 70 can increase your benefit by up to 24-32% compared to FRA. Consider factors like your savings, other income sources, marital status, and family longevity when making this decision.

You can apply for retirement benefits online at SSA.gov (recommended), by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or by scheduling an appointment at your local Social Security office. You can apply up to 4 months before you want your benefits to start. You'll need documents including your birth certificate, W-2 forms or self-employment tax returns, military discharge papers (if applicable), and bank account information for direct deposit.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) is for workers who have paid into Social Security through payroll taxes and become disabled. It requires sufficient work credits and recent work history. SSI (Supplemental Security Income) is a needs-based program for disabled, blind, or elderly individuals with limited income and resources. SSI doesn't require work history but has strict financial limits. SSDI benefit amounts are based on your earnings record, while SSI has a fixed federal benefit rate ($943/month for individuals in 2025).

To qualify for disability benefits, you must have a severe medical condition that prevents you from performing substantial gainful activity (SGA) and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. The SSA maintains a list of impairments that automatically qualify (the Blue Book), including conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders, mental disorders, immune system disorders, and musculoskeletal problems. Even if your condition isn't listed, you may still qualify if it's equally severe.

The initial disability application process typically takes 3-5 months, but can vary significantly. If denied, the reconsideration level takes another 3-5 months. If you need to appeal to a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge, it can take 12-18 months or longer. About 65% of initial applications are denied, so many applicants go through the appeals process. You can check your application status online through your my Social Security account.

Social Security has work incentive programs that allow you to test your ability to work while receiving disability benefits. For SSDI, you can participate in a Trial Work Period (TWP) for up to 9 months where you can earn any amount without losing benefits. After TWP, you enter an Extended Period of Eligibility where you can work and still receive benefits if you earn below the SGA limit ($1,550/month in 2025 for non-blind individuals). SSI has different rules with income exclusions and reductions based on earnings.

When you reach full retirement age (66-67 depending on birth year), your SSDI benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits. The amount stays the same, but the classification changes. You'll also become eligible for Medicare at age 65 if you've been receiving disability benefits for 24 months. SSI benefits can continue past age 65 as long as you still meet the income and resource requirements.

For SSI eligibility in 2025, the federal benefit rate is $943 per month for individuals and $1,415 for couples. Your countable income must be below these amounts. However, not all income counts. SSA excludes the first $20 of most income (general income exclusion) and the first $65 of earned income plus half of earnings over $65 (earned income exclusion). Some states also provide supplemental payments that increase the total benefit amount.

For SSI eligibility, you must have limited resources (assets). The limit is $2,000 for individuals and $3,000 for couples in 2025. However, many assets don't count including your primary home, one vehicle, household goods and personal effects, life insurance with face value under $1,500, burial funds up to $1,500, and certain retirement accounts. Resources are things you own that could be converted to cash to pay for food or shelter.

Generally, SSI is limited to U.S. citizens and certain categories of qualified aliens. Qualified aliens who may be eligible include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, individuals granted withholding of deportation, Cuban/Haitian entrants, certain Amerasian immigrants, and victims of trafficking. Additional restrictions may apply, and some qualified aliens must meet a 5-year residency requirement or other conditions.

SSI is not counted as income for most other federal benefit programs. It generally doesn't affect eligibility for SNAP (food stamps), housing assistance, or Medicaid. However, SSI recipients are usually automatically eligible for Medicaid in most states. Some state and local programs may count SSI as income, so it's important to check the specific rules for each program you're applying for.

Most people become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) is a 7-month period that includes the 3 months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and the 3 months after. If you're already receiving Social Security benefits, you'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. You can also qualify before 65 if you've been receiving disability benefits for 24 months or have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or ALS.

Medicare Part A covers hospital insurance (inpatient care, skilled nursing, hospice). Most people get Part A premium-free if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes for 10+ years. Part B covers medical insurance (doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services) and has a monthly premium ($174.70 in 2025 for most people). Part C (Medicare Advantage) is an alternative to Original Medicare offered by private companies. Part D covers prescription drugs and is optional with varying premiums based on the plan you choose.

If you're 65 or older and still working with employer health coverage from a company with 20+ employees, you can delay Medicare enrollment without penalty. You'll get a Special Enrollment Period to sign up when your employer coverage ends. However, if the employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare becomes primary and you should enroll at 65 to avoid gaps in coverage and late enrollment penalties. If you're receiving Social Security benefits, you'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.

If you don't enroll in Medicare Part B when first eligible and don't have creditable coverage, you'll pay a late enrollment penalty of 10% of the standard premium for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn't sign up. This penalty lasts as long as you have Part B. Part D also has a late enrollment penalty calculated based on how long you went without creditable prescription drug coverage. Part A generally doesn't have a penalty if you're eligible for premium-free coverage.

Survivors benefits may be available to widows/widowers age 60 or older (50 or older if disabled), widows/widowers of any age caring for the deceased's child under age 16, unmarried children under age 18 (or up to 19 if full-time student), children of any age who were disabled before age 22, and dependent parents age 62 or older. The deceased worker must have earned enough Social Security credits. A one-time death payment of $255 may also be available to the surviving spouse or children.

Yes, you may be eligible for spousal benefits if you're at least 62 years old (or any age if caring for a child under 16 or disabled) and your spouse is receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits. The spousal benefit is up to 50% of your spouse's full retirement age benefit amount. If you're eligible for your own retirement benefit, you'll receive the higher of the two amounts, not both. Divorced spouses may also qualify if the marriage lasted at least 10 years.

The family maximum is the limit on the total amount of benefits that can be paid to you and your family members on your earnings record. It typically ranges from 150% to 180% of your full retirement benefit amount. If the total benefits payable to your family exceed this limit, each family member's benefit (except yours) is reduced proportionately. The family maximum doesn't affect benefits paid to a divorced spouse.

It depends on the type of benefit. If you're receiving retirement benefits on your own record, remarriage doesn't affect your benefits. If you're receiving spousal benefits and remarry, you generally can't continue receiving benefits on your former spouse's record. For survivors benefits, remarrying before age 60 (or 50 if disabled) ends your eligibility for widow(er) benefits. Remarrying after age 60 (or 50 if disabled) doesn't affect survivors benefits. If you're receiving benefits as a parent caring for a child, remarriage generally ends those benefits.

You can apply for Social Security benefits online at SSA.gov (fastest method), by calling 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), or by scheduling an appointment at your local Social Security office. For retirement benefits, you can apply up to 4 months before you want benefits to start. Disability applications can be started online and completed with phone or in-person interviews. You'll need documents like birth certificate, W-2s or tax returns, medical records (for disability), and bank information for direct deposit.

Social Security payments are made on a schedule based on your birth date. If you were born on the 1st-10th of the month, you receive benefits on the second Wednesday. Born on the 11th-20th, you receive benefits on the third Wednesday. Born on the 21st-31st, you receive benefits on the fourth Wednesday. If you started receiving benefits before May 1997 or receive SSI, you receive payments on the 3rd of each month. Payments are deposited on the scheduled date or the prior business day if it falls on a weekend or holiday.

Yes, and direct deposit is required for most beneficiaries. You can have your benefits deposited into a checking or savings account at a bank, credit union, or other financial institution. Alternatively, you can use the Direct Express debit card program if you don't have a bank account. Direct deposit is safer than paper checks, arrives on time, and eliminates the risk of lost or stolen checks. You can set up or change direct deposit through your my Social Security account or by calling SSA.

If your payment doesn't arrive on the scheduled date, wait 3 business days before contacting Social Security. Check your bank account to ensure the deposit wasn't made. If it's been more than 3 days, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or contact your local office. If you receive paper checks and it's been more than 3 days past the payment date, you can request a replacement check. You can also check your payment status through your my Social Security account online.

You must report certain changes to Social Security that could affect your benefits, including changes in marital status, work activity and earnings, living arrangements, income or resources (for SSI), medical improvement (for disability), or if a child beneficiary is no longer in your care. Report changes through your my Social Security account, by calling 1-800-772-1213, or by visiting your local office. Failure to report changes can result in overpayments that you'll have to repay.