5 Facts You Might Not Know About Social Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: July 19, 2018
Most people know at least something about Social Security. For decades, Social Security has been providing valuable information and tools to help you build financial security. Here’s your opportunity to find out a little more, with some lesser-known facts about Social Security.
1. Social Security pays benefits to children.
Social Security pays benefits to unmarried children whose parents are deceased, disabled, or retired. See Benefits for Children for the specific requirements.
2. Social Security can pay benefits to parents.
Most people know that when a worker dies, we can pay benefits to surviving spouses and children. What you may not know is that under certain circumstances, we can pay benefits to a surviving parent. Read our Fact Sheet Parent’s Benefits, for the details.
3. Widows’ and widowers’ payments can continue if remarriage occurs after age 60.
Remarriage ends survivor’s benefits when it occurs before age 60, but benefits can continue for marriages after age 60.
4. If a spouse draws reduced retirement benefits before starting spouse’s benefits (his or her spouse is younger), the spouse will not receive 50 percent of the worker’s benefit amount.
Your full spouse’s benefit could be up to 50 percent of your spouse’s full retirement age amount if you are full retirement age when you take it. If you qualify for your own retirement benefit and a spouse’s benefit, we always pay your own benefit first. (For example, you are eligible for $400 from your own retirement and $150 as a spouse for a total of $550.) The reduction rates for retirement and spouses benefits are different. If your spouse is younger, you cannot receive benefits unless he or she is receiving benefits (except for divorced spouses). If you took your reduced retirement first while waiting for your spouse to reach retirement age, when you add spouse’s benefits later, your own retirement portion remains reduced which causes the total retirement and spouses benefit together to total less than 50 percent of the worker’s amount. You can find out more on our website.
5. If your spouse’s retirement benefit is higher than your retirement benefit, and he or she chooses to take reduced benefits and dies first, your survivor benefit will be reduced, but may be higher than what your spouse received.
If the deceased worker started receiving reduced retirement benefits before their full retirement age, a special rule called the retirement insurance benefit limit may apply to the surviving spouse. The retirement insurance benefit limit is the maximum survivor benefit you may receive. Generally, the limit is the higher of:
- The reduced monthly retirement benefit to which the deceased spouse would have been entitled if they had lived, or
- 82.5 percent of the unreduced deceased spouse’s monthly benefit if they had started receiving benefits at their full retirement age (rather than choosing to receive a reduced retirement benefit early).
Social Security helps secure your financial future by providing the facts you need to make life’s important decisions.
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Tags: retirement benefits, Social Security benefits
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Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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Aleta F.
This is a question I hope can be answered. I am now 63. My husband died in 2004. If received his benefits now can I choose to receive mine at full retirement?
R.F.
Hello Aleta. A widow of a person who worked long enough under Social Security, can start receiving reduced widow’s benefits at age 60 (age 50 if disabled).
In many cases, a widow can begin receiving one benefit at a reduced rate and then, at full retirement age, switch to the other benefit at an unreduced rate. The rules are complicated and vary depending on the situation. You will need to speak with a Social Security representative.
You cannot apply for survivor’s benefits online. If you decide to apply, you will need to contact your local office, or call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213, for assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
We hope this information helps!
Lauren D.
I was just reading about how children can receive the benefits if their parent is disabled I currently receive Social Security income because I am disabled but my four-year-old son is not can he still receive any kind of benefits because of my disability
R.F.
Hello Lauren. When you start receiving disability benefits, certain members of your family may also qualify for benefits on your record. However, there is a limit to the amount we can pay each family member. Benefits for family members have always been limited by the family maximum rules.
The maximum family benefit is the maximum monthly amount that can be paid on a worker’s earnings record.
Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and ask one of our agents to assist you. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or contact your local Social Security office directly.
Thanks!
Edward G.
I’m 83 yrs old retiree since Dec.1999 w/ SS benefits. I lost my wife on Jan.7,2017. She used to receive her monthly SS payments on my records. Question: If I remarry a non-US citizen, who’s 74 yrs old residing in Korea. Is she entitled to receive a spouse benefit upon our marriages?
My ex-wife used to receive an half of my monthly SS payment prior to her death in Jan.2017.
R.F.
Hello Edward. Generally, individuals must be married for one year before they can get spouse’s benefits. Please see our Frequently Asked Questions web page on Noncitizens. Thanks!
Michael C.
Please complete my Disability Evaluation and continue my Social Security Benefits because I am not well enough to work.
R.F.
Hello Michael. Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please continue working with your local office. If you are unable to visit the local office, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks.
SHIRLEY B.
Social Security lost 15 years of my annual earnings. I don’t understand why I can only show proof of the past three years even though I can show more than three years of earnings.
R.F.
Hello Shirley. Unfortunately, but for security reasons, we do not have access to personal records in this blog. Please continue working with your local office. You can request to speak with the manager if necessary.
If you are unable to visit the local office, you can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week. Thanks.
carroll r.
i filled it out so you must not liked what i said,so if i stepped on your toes it was intenially
carroll r.
what i have a very deep concern about is when s.s. gives a cost of living raise.what happens in texas and i think they are breaking the law.i am 86 born 4/19/1932.last year i got a3.00 raise a week later the food stamp office took 3.00 of food stamps but my rent went up a dollar,this yeasr i got a 11.00 raise the same thing happened food stamps took 11.00 out the the housing project here dont reconize the stamp the 11.00, out it came but due to the 30% increase my rentwent up another 5.00 now i know that dont mean much,but to a ill 86 yr.old it means a whole lot as i get 54.00 in food stamps now to top it off,noone will answer the seniors queastion,but keep raising baby factory stamps up and up
Raymond l.
Thank you for the info
Brenda s.
I have been disabled since 1980 and my husband retired early at 65…am I eligible to apply for spousal benefits? Thank you.
R.F.
To see if you’re eligible for a higher benefit amount on your husband’s record, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and speak to one of our agents. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week.
Thanks!
Eustice B.
i AM 84 YEARS OLD AND ALREADY RECEIVING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS. i APPRECIATE ALL INFORMATION YOU SEND.
THANK YOU
BRUCE
R.F.
Thank you, Eustice! We’re pleased we can help. We will continue our efforts to meet your requirements and expectations in the years to come.