| Introduction |
The following briefly describes the different
types of benefits paid by Social Security. The descriptions are not
meant to be definitive. Check with a local Social Security office if
you believe you may be eligible for benefits. We pay benefits to the
following types of beneficiaries. |
Retired worker and auxiliary beneficiaries
Payment for these benefits is made from the Old-Age
and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund. |
- Retired worker—beneficiary who worked in covered employment
long enough to be insured and who is at
least 62 years old (benefits equal to the
"primary insurance
amount" are payable at the normal
retirement age; maximum benefits are payable at age 70)
- Spouse of retired worker—must
either (1) have a child under age 16 or
a disabled child in his or her care, or (2)
be at least 62 years old; applies also to divorced spouse
if the marriage lasted at least 10 years
- Child of retired worker—see 3 types of child benefits below
|
Survivor beneficiaries
Payment for these benefits is also made from the
Old-Age
and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund.
|
- Child of deceased worker—see 3 types of child benefits below
- Aged widow(er)—must be at least 60 years old
- Young widow(er)—must have a child under age 16 or
a disabled child in his or her care
- Disabled widow(er)—must be disabled and be at least 50 years old
(converted to aged widow(er) upon attainment of age 65)
- Parent of deceased worker—must have been dependent on worker and
be at least 62 years old
|
Disabled worker and auxiliary beneficiariesBenefits are paid
from the Disability Insurance Trust Fund. |
- Disabled worker—beneficiary who worked in covered employment
long enough to be insured and who had been working recently in covered
employment prior to disability onset
- Spouse of disabled worker—must either (1) have a child under age 16
or a disabled child in his or her care, or (2)
be at least 62 years old; applies
also to divorced spouse if the marriage lasted at least 10 years
- Child of disabled worker—see 3 types of child benefits below
|
|
|
Data on number of beneficiaries and average benefit amounts |
Benefits are paid to three types of children:
- Minor child (under age 18)
- Adult disabled before the age of 22
- High school student under age 19
|
www.socialsecurity.gov
