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SSA logo: link to Social Security Online home 300. Retirement Insurance Benefits

300.1 When do monthly cash retirement benefits begin?

You are eligible for monthly cash retirement insurance benefits (also called old-age insurance benefits) when you are age 62 or older and meet the conditions described in §301.

300.2 What additional benefits are available?

Additional monthly benefits, called auxiliary benefits, may be payable to other persons based on your earnings record as follows:

  1. Monthly spouse's insurance benefits (see §§305-322); or

  2. Monthly child's insurance benefits (see §§323-345).

These auxiliary benefits may also be payable on your earnings record if you are entitled to a disability insurance benefit. (See Chapter 5.)

Last Revised: March, 2001

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Last reviewed or modified Monday Jan 14, 2008

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