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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Jerry L.
can my wife draw more if my payments are higher than he she started drawing hers at 62. we are now both in our 70’s
Ray F.
Hello Jerry. Unfortunately, and because of security reasons we do not have access to personal records in this blog and cannot answer your question at this time. Please 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. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later during the day or later in the week.
See “Benefits For Your Spouse” for information on this topic. Thanks!
victor
Hope I’m posting in the right place, and wish someone can help me with my question. I filed for SS retirement benefits.
Got a notice in my social security account that says. Your claim has been approved, but the letter I got from them says they are still working on my claim and can not tell me if benefits are payable or not. I’m confused with this. Can someone please help me understand whta’s going on?. Thank you
Holly R.
If I begin collecting social security at age 62 and my husband does not and continues to work, does it affect how much he can earn?
Ray F.
Hello Holly. No, the “earnings limitations” apply only to the individual receiving Social Security benefits.
If you continue to work while receiving Social Security benefits, then your benefits may be affected. See “Getting Benefits While Working” for more on this topic. Thanks!
eddie c.
social security matters
mike a.
i am on social security disability and started working at a school as a paraprofessional and the contract ipays for 12 month instead of 9 months .The 12 month pay period i won’t be over my income but the 9 month i would be
Ray F.
Hello Mike. You can return to work while receiving Social Security disability benefits. We have special rules to help you get back to work without jeopardizing your initial benefits.
Click here for more information on this important topic. Thanks!
Dawn T.
If a coworker is out on medical disability can other co workers donate PTO or pay without the disabled party being penalized?
Mai P.
I need a copy of my benefit amount of my payment for year 2018
Ray F.
If you need proof you get Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security (SSI) Income or Medicare, you can request a benefit verification letter online by using your personal my Social Security account. Thanks!
B B.
A friend (who this is happening to, although she is divorced & I am not) said that I was entitled to receive 50% of the value of my husband’s S/S ‘before’ I officially retire (as long as I am 65). I will be 65 in Dec and my husband is 68. I was told that this is open to anyone born before 12/31/53. And, then, once I officially retire & draw my benefits, what I would be getting from him would end. Is this true, and if so, how does it work?
Ray F.
Generally, if you qualify and apply for your own retirement benefits and for benefits as a spouse, we always pay your own benefits first. If your benefits as a spouse are higher than your own retirement benefits, you will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit.
Also, under the new law, if you were born before January 2, 1954 and have already reached full retirement age, you can choose to receive only the spouse’s benefit and delay receiving your retirement benefit until a later date. If your birthday is January 2, 1954 or later, the option to take only one benefit at full retirement age no longer exists. If you file for one benefit, you will be effectively filing for all retirement or spousal benefits.
You can speak to one of our agents, by calling our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Or you can contact your local office directly.
We hope this information helps!
susan l.
update award letter need copy
Pete
Vonda, thanks for your reply.
Maybe I didn’t phrase my question correctly, sorry if I didn’t. What I really need to know is: If I receive a Social Security payment during the month of January 2019 (but the Jan. payment is actually for the month of December 2018, because SS pays a month in arrears), will I then receive a 2018 Social Security Form 1099 for January’s payment?
Vonda V.
Hi Pete: No, you will not receive a 2018 SSA-1099 for December’s payment received in January 2019.
Pete
Thanks Vonda, that’s just what I needed to know.
So, essentially the SSA sends out SSA-1099’s for payments that are received during the 12 month January – December calendar year, even though the month of January payment is actually for December the previous year, correct?