Eligibility
Can My Spouse Qualify for Social Security or Medicare on My Record?
Yes. Even if he or she has never worked under Social Security, your spouse at full retirement age can receive a benefit equal to one-half of your full retirement amount. (If your spouse will receive a pension for work not covered by Social Security such as government foreign employment, the amount of his or her [...]
Does Social Security Provide Benefits to a Caregiver or Housekeeper?
No. There is no provision in the Social Security Act to provide benefits for caregivers of the aged or disabled. However, you may want to contact your local social services or welfare departments to determine if there are any locally sponsored programs that might provide you with assistance. These organizations also may be able to provide you [...]
How Can I Earn a Social Security Credit?
A “Social Security credit” (sometimes referred to as a “quarter of coverage”) is the measure of a person’s work under the Social Security program. The Social Security Administration uses a person’s total covered yearly earnings to figure Social Security credits for both wages and net earnings from self-employment. The amount needed for a credit increases [...]
Does Social Security Pay Benefits to Prisoners?
Social Security pays benefits under both the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Both of these programs prohibit payments to most prisoners. Social Security benefits are suspended if an otherwise eligible person is confined in a jail, prison, or other penal institution for more than 30 continuous days due to conviction of a [...]
What Are the Requirements to Receive Social Security Benefits?
Social Security is more than retirement. Many people think of Social Security as just a retirement program. Althought it is true that most of the people receiving Social Security receive retirement benefits, many others get Social Security because thar are: Disabled, or A spouse or child of someone who gets Social Security; or A spouse [...]
Can Children Born outside of Marriage Get Social Security Benefits?
“My brother had an accident at work last year and is now receiving Social Security disability benefits for himself, his wife, and daughter. Before his accident, he helped support another daughter by a woman to whom he has never been married. Is the second child entitled to some benefits as well?” Even though your brother [...]
Am I Entitled to Widow’s or Widower’s Benefits If I Remarry?
Generally, you cannot get widow’s or widower’s benefits if you remarry before age 60. But remarriage after age 60 (or age 50 if you are disabled) will not prevent you from getting benefit payments based on your former spouse’s work record. And at age 62 or older, you may get benefits based on your new [...]
Can a Child Receive Benefits on the Record of a Grandparent?
A dependent grandchild or step-grandchild may receive benefits on the record of a grandparent if the following requirements are met: The grandchild’s natural or adoptive parents are deceased or disabled: At the time the grandparent became entitled to retirement or disability insurance benefits or died; or At the beginning of the grandparent’s period of disability [...]
Both My Spouse and I Work and Pay Social Security Taxes. Whose Record Will My Benefits Be Based on?
You will receive benefits based on your work record if you have worked long enough under Social Security (usually 10 years) to be entitled to benefits. However, if the benefit you can receive as a spouse is higher than your own Social Security benefit, you will receive a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse [...]
What about Pension Benefits under Private Retirement Plans?
“I understand that Social Security has a database of individuals who have been identified as having qualified for pension benefits under private retirement plans. How can I find out about my pension benefits?” Social Security keeps a database of individuals who have been identified by the Internal Revenue Service as having qualified for pension benefits [...]