While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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We are not affiliated with the government in any way. We are a private company that engaged writers to research the Social Security Retirement benefits program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process. We are not providing legal or financial advice. If you need such advice please contact an attorney or a financial advisor.
Social Security is a federal program that provides qualifying seniors with retirement benefits to help supplement their retirement income. While best known for retirement benefits, Social Security also provides disability income and survivor benefits to those who qualify.
Social Security is a type of insurance program. U.S. workers pay into the Social Security program, generally through withholdings from their checks. By paying into the Social Security program, workers earn Social Security work credits, which will help them qualify for Social Security when they reach retirement age.
Social Security is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). Learn more about Social Security on the Social Security Administration website here.
The Social Security program provides monetary benefits to qualifying recipients. These benefits are meant to supplement a senior’s retirement. They are not meant to be a recipient’s sole source of income.
The amount of Social Security benefits you can receive is based on several factors, including your retirement age, certain types of income you receive, and the amount of wages you earned previously.
The earliest you can retire and receive Social Security benefits is age 62. Retiring at age 62 is considered early retirement, and your benefits will be reduced if you begin receiving Social Security before the full retirement age. The full retirement age is 66 to 67, depending on the year that you were born. You can receive your full retirement benefit amount if you begin Social Security benefits at your full retirement age. You can also choose to delay your retirement age. If you delay your retirement, your benefit amount will continue to increase up to the age of 70.
Learn more about the Social Security retirement age here.
If you continue working while receiving Social Security, your benefits can be reduced if you make more than the annual limit. In 2020, the annual limit was $18,240. After you reach the annual limit, your Social Security benefits are deducted by $1 for every $2 you earn over the limit.
The Social Security Administration does not count the income you receive from pensions, investments, interest, or annuities when considering your Social Security benefit amount. It also does not count benefits from other government or veteran retirement programs.
To learn more about work-related factors that may impact your Social Security benefit amount, click here.
The amount of wages that you earned previously will also impact your Social Security benefit amount. The Social Security Administration averages wages earned for up to 35 years of your work history to determine your benefit amount. You can learn more about how your previous wages affect your Social Security benefit amount here.
Depending on your income, Social Security beneficiaries may also be eligible to receive additional assistance through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. This program provides monetary benefits to elderly and disabled individuals who have little to no income.
Click here to learn more about the Social Security Income program.
You can estimate your Social Security benefit amount here.
To qualify for Social Security benefits, you must:
To qualify for Social Security, you must have earned enough work credits. Work credits are based on your annual wages, with a maximum of four earned work credits each year. The amount of wages that you must earn to receive a work credit changes from year to year. However, in 2020, a work credit was earned for each $1,410 that an individual made. If you were born after 1928, you need 40 work credits to be eligible for Social Security.
Learn more about work credit requirements for the Social Security Disability Income program here.
Take the SSA Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool here to determine if you may be eligible for Social Security or other benefits. Find further information on Social Security eligibility here.
You should apply for Social Security benefits four months before you want to begin receiving benefits.
To apply for Supplemental Security Income, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents you need here.
To apply for Supplemental Security Income online, click here to begin the online application through the Social Security Administration website.
To apply for Supplemental Security Income by phone, call 1 (800) 772-1213.
To apply for Supplemental Security Income in person, click here to find your nearest Social Security office. Call your local office or 1 (800) 772-1213 to schedule an appointment and reduce your wait time.
If you have any questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Social Security Administration at 1 (800) 772-1213. You can also email the Social Security Administration by completing the online general information form here.
Or, contact your nearest local Social Security office. Click here to find your closest Social Security office.
You can check the status of your Social Security application online, by phone, or in-person:
The Social Security Administration will review your application to verify if you are eligible for Social Security. In some cases, the SSA may contact you for additional information before approving your application.
Once your application has been processed, you will receive a letter detailing if your Social Security application was approved or denied. If you are denied Social Security benefits, your letter will detail why you were denied benefits.
Social Security applications are denied if applicants do not meet eligibility requirements. Learn more about Social Security eligibility requirements here.
If your Social Security application is denied or your benefit amount is reduced, you have the right to file an appeal. You must send your request within 60 days of receiving a decision.
You can file for an appeal online, by phone, or in person.
To file an appeal online, complete the online Request for Reconsideration here.
To file an appeal by phone, contact the Social Security Administration at 1 (800) 772-1213.
To file an appeal in person, contact your nearest local Social Security office. Click here to find your closest Social Security office.
Learn more about the Social Security appeal process here.
You must report changes to the Social Security Administration that may impact your Social Security eligibility or benefit amount within ten days. Changes that must be reported include changes such as:
You can update the Social Security Administration with any changes in your life online, by phone, or in-person at your local Social Security office.
To make a change online, click here to access your Social Security account.
To make a change by phone, contact the Social Security Administration at 1 (800) 772-1213.
To make a change in person, visit your local Social Security office. Click here to find your closest Social Security office.
Learn more about reporting changes to the Social Security Administration here.
For help with a Social Security application or any further questions about the Social Security program, contact the Social Security Administration at 1 (800) 772-1213. You can also email the Social Security Administration by completing the online general information form here.
Or, contact your nearest local Social Security office. Click here to find your closest Social Security office.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Social Security program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Social Security Retirement Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility, and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
