5 More Facts You Might Not Know About Social Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: August 19, 2021
What kind of questions do you and your friends ask about Social Security? When do my benefits arrive? What are Social Security work credits, and do they have anything to do with the way my benefits are figured? Will I be automatically enrolled in Medicare? Read on to find the answers to these questions.
1. Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due.
When you meet all the requirements for eligibility, the benefit check you receive is payment for the prior month’s benefits. For information on the payment of benefits, you can read our pamphlet, What You Need to Know When You Get Retirement or Survivors Benefits.
To know when checks will be paid, you can save the Schedule of Social Security Benefit Payments to your “Favorites” or print it.
2. We don’t pay benefits for the month of death.
Social Security uses the same throughout-the-month rule to determine eligibility for the benefit that is due for the month of death. You must live through the full month to be eligible for the payment. See the pamphlet above in the section titled If a beneficiary dies for more information about when a check is due.
3. Survivors benefits can replace a percentage of the worker’s earnings for family members.
The eligible family members of a retired or disabled beneficiary may receive a monthly payment of up to 50 percent of beneficiary’s amount. Survivors benefits usually range from about 75 percent to 100 percent of the deceased worker’s amount. Visit our Understanding the Benefits publication for an explanation of the amounts family members receive.
4. Work credits determine eligibility for benefits, but your lifetime earnings are used to calculate your monthly benefit amount.
Retired workers need 40 work credits to be eligible for benefits, but your work credits alone do not determine how much you will receive each month. When we figure your retirement benefit, we use the average of your highest 35 years of earnings. See Your Retirement Benefit: How It Is Figured for more information.
5. If you receive retirement benefits before you reach age 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare.
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility following a hospital stay. It also pays for some home health care and hospice care. Medicare Part B (medical insurance) helps pay for services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventative services. When you’re already receiving retirement benefits, we automatically sign you up for Medicare Parts A and B when you turn age 65. You can then decline Part B if you choose, since it requires a monthly premium. If you are not receiving retirement benefits as you approach age 65, you should contact Social Security three months before age 65 to sign up for Medicare Part A and B. Even if you don’t want to retire at 65, you should sign up for Medicare only. For more details, check out our Medicare page.
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About the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
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S. P.
My daughter passed away this pass April and she has 2 children I now have legal custody of. Can they get any type of benifits? She was 27yrs old and she has had multiple jobs for yrs…what qualifies them for survivors benefits?
Mike
Are there benefits available for a retired Grandfather raising his minor Grandchildren??
My daughter passed away & their father a not in their life
A.C.
Hi, Mike. We are sorry to hear about your loss. We do not pay caregivers. However, you may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if you qualify, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps.
Debra K.
Going out on disability can I collect both?
My hospital is paying for my disability can I collect my social security at the same time? Age 62
A.C.
Hi, Debra. No, if you qualify, you will receive disability or retirement. You cannot receive both. Thanks!
Michelle
Hi, I have a question, if I receive ssi disability and get married will I get cut off or benefits change because my fiancé works.
Kathy N.
Once a Federal employee retires does her husband insurance become the primary?
Henry C.
I have a very basic question, and apologies if this was addressed in an earlier post. Prior to collecting benefits, our annual benefits “reset” (increase) every year for each year we delay taking benefits. When exactly does that “reset” occur……is it on our birthday?
Judy L.
Once I apply for retirement, can I change the date that I want the benefit to start?
Bruce S.
My father in law had a second stroke and now he has to move in with my wife and I. Can I retire at age 59 1/2 to take care of him and draw benefits? He can’t live alone anymore. He is 30% disabled veteran. He is 87 yrs old
A.C.
Hi, Bruce. We are sorry to hear about your father-in-law’s condition. The earliest you can file for retirement is age 62. We do not offer assistance with caregivers. However, your father-in-law may be eligible to receive social services from the state in which you live. These services include free meals, housekeeping help, transportation, or help with other problems. To get information about services in your area and find out if he qualifies, you will need to contact your state or local social services or welfare office. We hope this helps!
Kimberly R.
I have been on disability since I was age 50.I am now 59 and my partner is seeking disability and hasn’t worked in over a year.We are struggling to survive.Someone told me if we were married that I would get more money every month for my disability.Is this true?If not what can we do for some help surviving until her disabilities is granted?
A.C.
Hi, Kimberly. We are sorry to hear about your conditions. You may be able to get spouse’s benefits if you are at least 62 years of age and your spouse is receiving retirement or disability benefits. If you qualify on your own record, we will pay that amount first. But if you also qualify for a higher amount as a spouse, you’ll get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. For more information, visit our Benefits Planner: Family Benefits web page. We hope this helps.
Judy B.
I will turn 62 on may 19,2019. Since I am under full retirement for the whole year. The one year rule applies.
Will my earning in may need to be 1470 or under or will that start with June 2019,
A.C.
Hi, Judy. Thanks for your question. If you retire mid-year, we count your earnings for the entire year. However, we have a Special Earnings Limit Rule that we apply to annual earnings—usually the first year of retirement. When you apply for retirement, let us know if you plan to continue working. Check out our publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits, for more information. We hope this helps!