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.
Did you find this Information helpful?
About the Author
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Jim Borland, Acting Deputy Commissioner for Communications
Comments
Comments are closed.
Pete
If I start my first Social Security payment in January 2019, will I receive a 2018 SSA Tax Form 1099 for January’s payment, because January’s payment would be for December 2018? Or, does the SSA only send out 1099’s for payments in the calendar year in which payment was sent?
V.V.
Hi Pete. In January, we send you a Form 1099 (Social Security Benefit Statement), showing the amount of benefits you received in the prior calendar year. A worksheet (IRS Notice 703) is included for determining whether any portion of your Social Security benefits received is subject to income tax.
Pete
Vonda, thanks for your reply.
Maybe I didn’t phrase my question correctly, what I really need to know is this: Does a January 2019 Social Security payment (for December 2018, because SS pays a month in arrears) mean that Social Security will send me a 2018 Form 1099 for January 2019’s payment?
Murray
When applying for SS benefits the form asks for my “total earnings last year.” I am retired and not working and earning no wages from a job. I do however have a pension from working for 30 years as a teacher. Is my pension considered earnings?
V.V.
Thank you for the question, Murray. Pension payments, annuities, and the interest or dividends from your savings and investments are not earnings for Social Security purposes. Only earned income, your wages or net income from self-employment, is covered by Social Security.
A non-covered pension, a pension based on work that is not covered by Social Security (for example, Federal civil service and some State or local government agencies such as police officers and some teachers), may cause the amount of your Social Security benefit to be reduced. Your benefit can be reduced based on one of two provisions: The Government Pension Offset and the Windfall Elimination Provision.
See our Information for Government Employees web page for details.
Wally K.
Not kowing that I should have filed for disabilty benefits insteady of early retirement, Can I re-apply to receive disabilty benefits.?
R.F.
Hello Wally, you can apply for disability benefits before you reach your full retirement age. If a person has reached his or her full retirement age and is receiving Social Security retirement, they will not be eligible for disability benefits.
You can continue to receive your retirement benefits while we process your application for disability benefits and wait for a medical decision. If your claim is approved, we will adjust your monthly benefit amount accordingly. Disability benefits are paid at a higher rate.
Social Security pays only for total disability. No benefits are payable for partial disability or short-term disability. Disability benefits are paid to people who are unable to work because of a medical condition that is expected to last one year or more or to end in death.
In addition to meeting our definition for disability, individuals must have worked long enough–and recently enough–under Social Security to qualify for disability benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance program. You must have earned the required number of work credits within a certain period ending with the time you became disabled.
Individuals currently receiving benefits on their own record, cannot use the online application to apply for disability benefits. To apply, you will have to call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Or visit your local Social Security office. (Call first to make an appointment.) Thanks!
Tracy
Can I draw SSDI benefits on behalf of my child if the non-custodial parent is refusing to pay child support and owes arrearage?
R.F.
Hello Tracy. Generally, unmarried, minor children (Under age 18), can qualify to receive benefits on their father or mother record. See “Benefits For Your Children” for more information.
We can withhold Social Security benefits to enforce a legal obligation to pay child support, alimony or restitution. State laws determine a valid garnishment order.
We hope this information helps!
Laurie
I am 62, a widow and am receiving my husband’s SSA benefits. How much am I allowed to earn and still draw SSA?
R.F.
Great question, Laurie. Yes, there are limits on how much survivors may earn while they receive benefits. For complete information on this topic, see “Getting Benefits While Working“. Thanks!
Victoria
My exhusband went on social security this year at age 62. We have a 16 year old. I am receiving child support/social security but wondered if the divorce degree stated he is responsible for 50percent of medical expenses if that is still the same even though he is on social security at this time? Thank you.
carol g.
I am still working and will be 65 in January. My employer offers us money to leave our job at the end of the year and sip offer to save younger employees jobs. If I take the lump sum of $30,500.00 will it make me earn to much money to sign up and receive benefits immediately. Will there be a penalty and wait several months.
R.F.
Great question, Carol. After you retire, you may receive payments for work you did before you started getting Social Security benefits. Usually, those payments will
not affect your Social Security benefit if they are for work done before you retired. See “What qualifies as a special payment?” for more information.
If you need further assistant, call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thanks!
Priscilla F.
How do I request a replacement 1099 form by mail? I do not want to set up an online account ?
R.F.
Hello Priscilla. 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 when you call later during the day or later in the week. Or contact your local Social Security office directly. Thanks!
R.F.
Hi Priscilla. Please call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 , 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. Or contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
GINA T.
While living in the US I used my SSN, later on returned to my country and forgot about it. Now I would like to know its status.
GINA T.
I am planning to travel to the US again and need an answer to this matter
R.F.
Hello Gina, if in the United States, please contact the local Social Security office in the area. For security reasons, we do not release Social Security numbers by phone. Our Social Security Number and Card web page provides general information about the “Types of Social Security Cards” available. Thanks!
R.F.
Hello Gina. We recommend that individuals living outside the United States contact their nearest Federal Benefits Unit, for assistance with Social Security programs and available services. For a complete list of Federal Benefits Units and contact information, visit: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/foreign. Thanks!
Wayne S.
can I receive disability and social security benefits
R.F.
You’re only allowed to receive one Social Security payment, Wayne. Social Security disability benefits are paid at a higher rate and automatically change to retirement benefits when disability beneficiaries attain their full retirement age. Benefits are not interrupted with this transition and the benefit amount will generally remains the same. Thanks!