Types of Social Security Benefits
Social Security is the general term that describes a number of related programs, including retirement, disability, dependents and survivors benefits. These programs operate together to provide workers and their families with some monthly income when their normal flow of income ends or significantly decreases because of the retirement, disability, or death of the person who earned that income.
All of the benefit programs have one thing in common: benefits are paid to a disabled or retired worker, or to the worker’s dependent or surviving family, based on the worker’s average wages, salary or self-employment income in work covered by Social Security. The basic types of benefits are:
Retirement Benefits
These are the benefits that usually come to mind when you think of “Social Security.” You become eligible for them by performing a certain amount of work (how credits are earned) (how many credits you need), and reaching retirement age.
Disability Benefits
No matter how old you are, if you have a disability that prevents you from working, you may be able to claim benefits, including cash and medical care, from the Social Security Administration (SSA). There are two benefit programs you can apply for, including:
- Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits (SSDI) – available only to disabled people who have already done a certain amount of work, and
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) – available to disabled or elderly people whose incomes and assets are very low.
A crucial part of claiming benefits under either Social Security program is proving that you are severely disabled – that is, that you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from doing any substantial gainful activity and will last at least one year or will cause your death. (If you are elderly, however, you need not prove you are disabled to obtain Supplemental Security Income.)
Family Benefits
Dependents Benefits
If you are the spouse of a disabled worker who qualifies for Social Security retirement or disability benefits, you and your minor or disabled children may be entitled to benefits based on the worker’s earning record. This is true whether or not you actually depend on your spouse for your support.
Survivors Benefits
If you are the surviving spouse of a worker who qualified for Social Security disability benefits, you and your minor or disabled children may be entitled to benefits based on your deceased spouse’s earnings record.
