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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JAMES B.
I WAS BORN IN 1940 SEPT 13 1940
Joe S.
Mr Borland. I have turned 63 (March) and my wife will be 66 in July (her FRA). I made more than she in my career, and I believe she can get her benefit adjusted (upward) to 50% of my benefit.
If I claim now, can she get 50% of my benefit? And would it be 50% of my benefit as of age 63, or based upon my FRA (66 yrs, 4mos)?
Appreciate your answer.
Vonda V.
Hi Joe, thank you for reading our blog post. We will always pay your wife’s own retirement benefit first. If benefits as a spouse are higher than her own retirement benefits, she will get a combination of benefits equaling the higher spouse benefit. However, the spouse’s benefit cannot exceed one-half of your full retirement amount (not your reduced benefit amount). So, she can only receive additional spouse’s benefits if her own full retirement benefit (not her reduced benefit) is less than half of your full retirement benefit.
When you file for retirement benefits, we will automatically look into additional spouse’s benefits for your wife at the same time. Check out our Benefits Planner: Benefits for Your Spouse for more details.
Rita b.
When I started collecting ss benefits I was never informed that because my benefits were lower than my husbands I could have a combination of his and mine. Is this true
Vonda V.
Hello Rita. We will always pay your own retirement benefit 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. However, the spouse’s benefit cannot exceed one-half of your husband’s full retirement amount (not his reduced benefit amount). So, you can only receive additional spouse’s benefits if your own full retirement benefit (not your reduced benefit) is less than half of your husband’s full retirement benefit.
Generally, during the initial interview when applying for Social Security benefits, we typically explore all other benefits that could yield you a higher benefit amount. To find out if you are eligible for a higher benefit amount, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday or contact your local Social security office. Thanks!
Ken M.
How can I change my deductions on my benefits?
Vonda V.
Hi Ken. To change your withholding, you’ll need a Form W-4V from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You can download the form or call the IRS toll-free at 1-800-829-3676 and ask for Form W-4V. Sign the form and return it to your local Social Security office by mail or in person.
Nancy W.
I did not receive my SSA-1099 form for 2019
Tracy B.
Hi my name is Tracy Baumann my dad died June 8,2018
His name is Robert Wayne Baumann. I was wondering where my check is?
Bnc# 18M1687A72850-U1
Thanks Tracy Michelle Baumann
Pat S.
I am a legal Guardian for my disabled sister, who is living in a group home in New Jersey. She pays rent and support to DDD ARC of New Jersey, based on her Social Security income. They have over-charged her for the entire past year of 2018, which I have tried to get straightened out. they now tell me I have to get copies of her 2018 and 2019 Social Security Award letter in order for them to straighten this out. How can I get them, as I do not have those in my possession? Thank You Pat Smith
bob
I’m working full time and am turning 62 next month. Can I collect my social security at a reduced benefit and continue to work full time and make the same salary?
Vonda V.
Hi Bob, thank you for your question. If you are under full retirement age for the entire year, then we deduct $1 from benefit payments for every $2 earned above the annual limit. For 2019, that limit is $17,640. There is a special earnings limit rule for those that retire mid-year and have already earned more than the yearly earnings limit.
Visit our Retirement Planner: Getting Benefits While Working and our Retirement Earnings Test Calculator. Hope this helps!
Elaine
How can I change the start date of my Social Security. Having surgery and will be getting sick pay.
Vonda V.
Hi Elaine, thank you for using our blog. Keep in mind that sick pay can be considered a special payment after retirement . If you get Social Security and your total yearly earnings exceed the limit and these earnings include a special payment, tell Social Security you think you received a special payment.
You may call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. or you can contact your local Social Security office.
Dieter T.
Contacted the Baltimore office, not Boston