Social Security Retirement Insurance

The Social Security Retirement benefit is a monthly payment that replaces part of your income when you reduce your hours or stop working altogether. The monthly payment does not replace all of your income.

Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Benefit Payments - Every individual who is fully insured as defined in section 214a, has attained age 62, and files an application for Retirement can be entitled to benefits.

To qualify for Retirement Benefits, an individual (i.e., worker) must pay Social Security taxes to earn "credits" towards Social Security Benefits. The number of credits a worker needs to receive retirement depends on when the worker was born. Individuals born in 1929 or later need 40 credits (10 years of work). In addition of having the required credits, individuals must be age 62 or older and file and application with the Social Security Administration. Individuals can also get credits under Social Security systems of certain foreign countries if they are part of the International Social Security agreement. An individual (worker) and their qualified family members can file for benefits if the worker earned the required credits.

A spouse and children can be beneficiaries of benefits under the worker's record if the worker earned enough credits. Eligible beneficiaries include: • A spouse must be age 62 or older. • Spouse younger than age 62 are eligible if they care for a child (age 16 or younger) entitled on the worker's record or if the child is disable. • Former spouses are eligible if age 62 or older and if the marriage to the worker lasted at least 10 years. • Unmarried children up to age 18, or up to 19 if they are a full-time student at an elementary or secondary school (grade 12 or below). Spouses who never worked or have low earnings on their own work record can file as beneficiary under the worker's record. Children (including adopted children) of the worker can also file as beneficiary if they meet the age and student eligibility requirement.

Monthly cash benefits are paid to eligible retired workers and their eligible auxiliaries. There are no restrictions on use of benefits by a beneficiary, although the right to future benefits is not transferable or assignable.

Once an individual provides the required evidence or proof, an SSA employee will process the application and award benefits. SSA mails a notice to the beneficiary to notify them of the award.

It is to the worker's advantage to apply for benefits in the three months before he or she retires. Retroactivity is limited to 6 months if unreduced benefits are being awarded. No retroactivity is provided where reduced benefits are being awarded. You must contact your local SSA Field Office for application deadlines. Generally, an individual has up to 6 months to file an application. The 6-month period starts from the date the individual contacts SSA to inform of their intent to file for benefits and SSA sends a notification of the 6-month period. The earliest an individual can submit an application is 4 months prior of age 62 to receive benefits.

A claimant or their appointed representative who disagrees with an initial determination or decision may request further review under the administrative review process, also known as the appeal process. They must request a review within 60 days of the decision or lose the right to further review. SSA presumes that an individual receives a notice five days after the date on the notice.