Get to Know Your Social Security
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast Updated: November 3, 2023
Social Security touches the lives of nearly every American. We’ve been with you from day one, when your parents applied for your Social Security number, and we are with you from your first job through your retirement party and beyond.
For more than 80 years, Social Security has stayed true to its mission of providing financial protection for the American people and has served as one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in our nation’s history. We encourage everyone to take steps toward their financial security. Regardless of your age or place in life, now is the right time to start planning for a financially secure future for you and your family.
Everyone can benefit from our first step: Get to know your Social Security. You can start your journey through all things Social Security by visiting our website and navigating through our menu.
Along the way, you’ll see how your Social Security number opens many important doors throughout life, from making it easier to apply for student aid and open your first bank account to starting your first job and buying your first house. You’ll also discover how your contributions to the Social Security system through FICA payroll taxes can make you eligible for important future benefits when you reach retirement age or if you become severely injured or ill.
You’ll find how Social Security helps your family in the form of survivor benefits and how our Supplemental Security Income program assists disabled children and our most vulnerable adults.
We also encourage you to visit our website and set up your own personal my Social Security account today so you can begin taking steps toward financial security.
Through our website and your online account with us, you can:
- Verify your lifetime earnings record to ensure you’re getting credit for all your contributions toward Social Security and Medicare.
- Estimate future benefits for you and your family.
- Manage your Social Security benefits and personal information.
We encourage you to visit us online.
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Tags: my Social Security, 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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Lewis
Sir’s
When a person on SS dies, what part of the last chck has to be payed back?
If they die before 15th of month, and or they die on 29th of the month?
V.V.
Hi Lewis, thanks for using our blog. To be eligible for a Social Security benefit payment, a person has to live throughout the entire month. We can’t pay benefits for the month of death. If the deceased was receiving Social Security benefits, you must return the benefit received for the month of death or any later months. Keep in mind that Social Security benefits are paid the month after they are due. For example, if the person dies in March, you must return the benefit paid in April and continuing. However, some of the deceased’s family members may be eligible to receive survivors benefits. For details on survivor benefits, check out our Benefits Planner: Survivors.
Merry W.
I turn 65 in October. Will I automatically receive a medicare card or do I need to apply?
V.V.
Hi Merry, thank you for using our blog. Generally, individuals receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. If you are at least 64 years and 9 months old and aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, you can apply for Medicare A and B online.
If you already have Medicare Part A and need to sign up for Medicare Part B, there are some forms that you will need to complete and submit. See our Frequently Asked Questions web page for options on how to submit those forms.
Juan
They’re going to send me a letter I need to know what is going to see if I got approved or not
Geraldine S.
I had help on my previous attempt to recieve ssdi benefits. I gave the person permission to answer and so forth questions pertaining to my application. I have forgotten my email address given and have no idea what my password into my account is. The person whom was helping me has gone back to school I am told. I am trying to continue my process. Can u help me out here please? I appreciate your input very much.
Daisy
account already created but having trouble signing in with what I know are my user id and password