General

Social Security Terms in Plain Language

August 22, 2019 • By

Reading Time: 2 Minutes

Last Updated: July 16, 2021

" "Some of the terms and acronyms (an abbreviation of the first letters of words in a phrase) people use when they talk about Social Security can be a little confusing. We’re here to help you understand all you need to know.

Social Security employees strive to explain benefits using easy-to-understand, plain language. In fact, The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to communicate clearly in a way “the public can understand and use.”

If a technical term or acronym that you don’t know slips into the conversation or appears in written material, you can easily find the meaning in our online glossary.

Social Security’s acronyms function as verbal shorthand in your financial planning conversations. If you’re nearing retirement, you may want to know what PIA (primary insurance amount), FRA (full retirement age), and DRCs (delayed retirement credits) mean. These terms involve your benefit amount based on when you decide to take it.

If you take your retirement benefit at FRA, you’ll receive the full PIA (amount payable for a retired worker who starts benefits at full retirement age). So, FRA is an age and PIA is an amount.

Once you receive benefits, you get a COLA most years. But don’t expect a fizzy drink — a COLA is a Cost of Living Adjustment, and that will usually mean a little extra money in your monthly payment.

What about DRCs? Delayed retirement credits are the incremental increases added to the PIA if you delay taking retirement benefits beyond your full retirement age. If you wait to begin benefits beyond FRA — say, at age 68 or even 70 — your benefit increases.

If one of those unknown terms or acronyms comes up in conversation, you can be the one to supply the definition using our online glossary. Sometimes learning the terminology can deepen your understanding of w Social Security works for you. Discover and share more on our website.

Did you find this Information helpful?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!
See Comments

About the Author

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner

Related Articles

Social Security Services for the Hispanic Community

Happy Holidays from Social Security

Will Remarrying Affect My Social Security Benefits? 

Single Working Women’s Week

Comments

  1. dlinkrouter.local

    To download and install the settings of D-link router, access default Dlink router website dlinkrouter.local or mydlink.com local login.
    http://dlink-routerslocal.com

  2. dlinkrouter.local

    To download and install the setup myDlink , access default D-link router website http://dlinkrouter.local or mydlink.com local login.

  3. http://dlinkrouter.local

    To download and install the settings of D-link router, access default Dlink router website dlinkrouter.local or mydlink.com local login.

  4. Rebecca G.

    I’m glad you clarified that most recipients of social security disability benefits get a little extra money each year for a cost of living adjustment. I want to help my mom find an attorney and discuss her eligibility for social security disability since she’s no longer able to work from her disease progression. Your article provided really helpful info about terms that were unfamiliar to me, so thanks for explaining them in a simple way! https://athinapowers.com/social-security-lawyer

  5. jimmy

    The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. Watch Buccaneers Live The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League as a member club of the league’s National Football Conference South division.

  6. jimmy

    Thursday Night Football is the branding used for broadcasts of National Football League games that broadcast primarily on Thursday nights. Watch Thursday Night Football Online The 2020 NFL season schedule was announced Thursday with a full slate of Thursday Night Football games.

  7. john

    Action and highlights from a Monday night match in the American Football League. Watch Monday Night Football Online NFL in partnership with ESPN announced the schedule for Monday Night Football games for the 2020 season.

  8. TrainAges

    Accugas Limited Job Openings (5 Positions) is now open to interested Applicants
    DBN Entrepreneurship Training Programme for Nigerians 2020 interested person can apply
    60 DAY APP DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE interested person can participate
    NITDA Technology Innovation Support Scheme interested person can apply

  9. dlinkrouter.local

    Setup Dlink router maunally if just brought a new router or old. Or login dlinkrouter.local admin page for configuring the settings of Dlink router login page.

    http://dlink-routerslocal.com/troubleshooting/setup-dlink-router-manually-or-via-dlinkrouter-local/

  10. dlinkrouterlocal

    Open dlinkrouter.local admin, if facing any error or issue with Dlink router login.

    http://dlink-routerslocal.com/troubleshoot/

Comments are closed.