Retired Workers

One of the most common reasons people receive Social Security benefits is for retirement. If you have worked and paid into the Social Security system for a certain number of years, you may be eligible for retirement benefits.

• Eligibility: Generally, you need to have worked for 40 quarters (about 10 years) and paid Social Security taxes on your earnings.
• When to Apply: You can start receiving benefits as early as age 62, but if you wait until your full retirement age (usually 66 or 67, depending on your birth year), you’ll receive a higher monthly benefit.
• Full Retirement Age: Your full retirement age depends on the year you were born. The SSA provides a chart showing when you can receive 100% of your benefits.

Disabled Workers

Social Security also provides benefits for individuals who are unable to work due to a disability. To qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you need to meet specific medical and work history requirements.

• Eligibility:
• You must have a disability that prevents you from working for at least 12 months or is expected to result in death.
• You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of years (typically 5 out of the last 10 years).
• The disability must be severe enough to prevent you from performing substantial gainful activity.
• Medical Criteria: The SSA evaluates your condition based on a list of approved disabilities or criteria that show your condition severely limits your ability to work.

Family Members of Retired, Disabled, or Deceased Workers

In addition to workers themselves, certain family members can also receive Social Security benefits. These include:

• Spouses: A spouse can receive Social Security benefits based on their partner’s work history. A spouse can begin receiving benefits at age 62, but the benefit will be reduced if taken before full retirement age.
• Divorced Spouses: If you were married for at least 10 years and are divorced, you may still be able to receive benefits based on your ex-spouse's work history, as long as they are eligible for benefits and you are not remarried.
• Children: Dependent children (under the age of 18 or up to 19 if they are still in high school) of a worker who is retired, disabled, or deceased may be eligible for Social Security benefits. In some cases, even a disabled adult child can qualify if the disability started before the age of 22.
• Surviving Spouses: If your spouse passes away, you may be eligible for survivor benefits, even if you are younger than the full retirement age. Survivor benefits are available to widows or widowers, and the amount you receive depends on your spouse’s earnings record.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

In addition to SSDI, there is another type of benefit available through Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSI is for individuals who have limited income and resources and are either disabled, blind, or aged 65 or older.

• Eligibility: To qualify for SSI, you don’t need a work history. Instead, eligibility is based on your income, resources, and medical condition.
• Income and Resource Limits: SSI has strict limits on how much income and resources you can have. You may not qualify if your monthly income exceeds a certain threshold, or if you have significant savings or assets.
• Purpose: SSI is intended to provide a basic level of financial support for those who are unable to work and have little to no income.

Disabled Widows and Widowers

A surviving spouse who is disabled and between the ages of 50 and 60 may qualify for widow(er)'s benefits based on their deceased spouse’s work history. The disability must have started before the surviving spouse’s 60th birthday.

• Eligibility: To qualify for widow(er)'s benefits, the surviving spouse must meet the SSA's disability criteria and the work requirements of their deceased spouse.

Other Special Circumstances

There are other specific circumstances where individuals may qualify for Social Security benefits:

• Adults with Disabilities (before age 22): If an adult has a disability that started before age 22 and one of their parents qualifies for Social Security benefits, the adult child can receive benefits based on the parent’s work history.
• Government Workers: Some state and local government workers who do not pay Social Security taxes may be eligible for different benefits through the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or other government pension programs.