Social Security in America is a system that acts as a safety net for all citizens of the United States. In addition to retirement benefits, those who are disabled, dependent for support upon someone who receives social security income, and those who are a widow, widower, or child of someone who has died are eligible for benefits - if they meet the requirements. Whether you are entitled to benefits depends on if your circumstances satisfy the system's requirements. Today, more than 44 million Americans collect some kind of social security benefit.
The basic structure is that when you work, you pay into the system. After you've paid into the system - when you retire or become disabled - you, your spouse, and your children can receive monthly benefits.
WHAT MONTHLY BENEFITS CAN I GET FROM SOCIAL SECURITY?
Social Security is more than monthly retirement benefits. Monthly benefits, depending upon the particular circumstances, can be paid to:
(1) a disabled worker under age 65
(2) a retired worker age 62 or older
(3) the spouse of a retired or disabled worker who is age 62 or older - or - who has a child under age 16 (or a child over the age of 16 who is disabled)
(4) the divorced spouse of a retired or disabled worker age 62 or older who was married to the worker for at least 10 years
(5) the dependent . Unmarried child of a disabled, retired or deceased worker who is under age 18, under age 19 and a full-time elementary or secondary school student, or age 18 or older but determined to be disabled before age 22
(6) surviving spouses age 60 or over
(7) the disabled surviving spouse of a deceased worker age 50 to 59 who became disabled within a specific period
(8) the surviving spouse of a deceased worker regardless of age who cares for an entitled child of the worker who is under age 16 or disabled before age 22
(9) the dependent parents of a deceased worker at age 62 or older
This list is fairly comprehensive but not necessarily complete. The complete set of potential monthly benefits payable along with the rules to determine who gets these benefits is beyond the available space for this article. If you believe you qualify for a monthly benefit, contact the Social Security Administration to find out how to present a claim for the benefit.
HOW MUCH WILL I GET FROM SOCIAL SECURITY?
Your social security benefit is based on factors such as your date of birth, the type of benefit you are applying for and the amount of your earnings which were subject to the social security and Medicare taxes.
To get detailed estimate of your social security retirement, disability and survivorship benefits, get a "Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimate Statement" from the Social Security Administration. This statement is available by completing and submitting a form (SSA-7004) to the Social Security Administration - who will then send your statement to you via snail mail.
Social security benefits are based upon your earnings averaged over your working lifetime. A formula is used to determine the amount of your benefit - as a rule of thumb, about 42% of your earnings is replaced by social security benefits.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS?
The easiest way to apply for benefits, according to the Social Security Administration, is to schedule an appointment at your local social security office by calling their toll-free telephone number 1-800-772-1213. For disability, survivors, and supplemental security benefits, the Social Security Administration recommends that you apply as soon as you are eligible. For retirement benefits, they recommend that you meet with them about a year before you plan to retire or retire from your own business.When applying for social security benefits, you will be required to produce documents such as: (1) your social security card (2) your birth certificate (3) marriage certificate (if based on your spouse's social security account) (4) your most recent W-2 form if you are an employee or your most recent federal income tax return if you are self-employed. Additional documents may be required by the Social Security Administration - if so, they will let you know what they need. Even if you do not have all of the required documents currently in your possession, go ahead and start the application process - the Social Security Administration can assist you in getting the documents during the application process.
WHAT DO I DO IF I DON'T AGREE WITH A DECISION MADE BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION?
The Social Security Administration will provide you with a written decision regarding eligibility for social security or SSI benefits. If you do not agree with the decision, you have a right of appeal. Your appeal may be presented to an Administrative Law Judge who regularly handles these matters and is generally familiar with social security and its eligibility rules. In going forward with your appeal to an adverse decision, you can be represented by a qualified person of your choice, including an attorney who practices in the field of social security benefits and appeals of adverse decisions.
