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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Tom
I am 67, receiving my SS since last year. I married a 28 year old Filipino woman this past July. She has a 6 year old daughter. How can I add them on to my SS benefits?
Faye
If I continue to work past age 66, and make $40,000 annually, how is my SS income taxed? Would I be better served to take my spouses ss benefit in lieu of my own, since he has made more income over the years than I have. He is not yet at full retirement age for ss income for another 6 years
R.F.
Hello Faye. Under current law, everyone working in covered employment or self-employment regardless of age or eligibility for benefits must pay Social Security taxes. For further income tax questions, you will need to contact the IRS. Their toll-free number is 1-800-829-1040.
You may be able to get spouse’s retirement benefits if you are at least 62 years of age and your spouse is receiving retirement or disability benefits. You can also qualify for Medicare at age 65. To learn more visit “Benefits For Your Spouse“. Thanks!
SAM /.
I received Disability Benefits at the age of 60. My spouse continued to work. when he reached the age of 62 would he have been able to draw from my Social Security Account while working and then switch to his own Social Security Benefits at the age of 66 which is his full retirement age?
Tara
I am getting remarried will I still get my spousal survivor benefits ?
NILO
Very interesting informacion
Evelyn B.
Is a child under 18 entitled to social security, if the parents are unmarried and the father receives social security?
R.F.
Hi Evelyn, please see our Frequently Asked Questions web page for information on “Benefits For Children“. Thanks!
Dianne
My husband passed away in 1978 and I became disabled 2009. I could not apply for widow benefits until I turned 60 in 2014. Will my benefits go to 100% when I reach 66 years old?
V.V.
Dianne, thank you for your question. The benefit reduction is usually permanent with some exceptions due to work. However, keep in mind that if you are also eligible for retirement benefits (but haven’t applied yet), you have an option on switching to your retirement benefit at a later date (if it’s higher than your reduced widow’s benefit). See our Survivors Planner: If You Are The Survivor for more information. To see if you qualify for a higher benefit than what you are currently receiving, use our online retirement estimator or call our toll free telephone number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and ask a representative to assist you.
Daniel G.
I don’t know why the online service stopped. I am trying to sign up for Medicare only, and had just began then the page disappeared. Will try again today in a while .
Michael G.
I have an ex wife who is now 62 I am 73 We were married for 12 years. She did remarry and stayed married I think for only 2 years. Is she entitled to get Social Security benefits?
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Michael. If your marriage lasted 10 years or longer, your ex-wife may be eligible to receive benefits on your record at age 62 or older. See our Retirement Planner: If You’re Divorced for other eligibility requirements and more detailed information. Thanks!
Kwame A.
I will be 63 years old in August 2018. can I apply now for my Social Security benefit now that I am not working?
R.F.
Our system is set up to take applications three months in advance. When ready, you can apply for your benefits online. Remember that benefits are paid the month after they are due. So, for instance, if you want your benefits to begin with the month of August, you will receive your first benefit payment in September.
Please visit our Social Security Retirement Planner for more information.