Social Security Terms in Plain Language
Reading Time: 2 MinutesLast 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.
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About the Author
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
Darlynda Bogle, Assistant Deputy Commissioner
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Dan G.
My understanding 2 additional benefits when I filed may have been available to me when I originally filed that I was not aware of..Vietnam era honorable discharge military service .small increase.also supplemental based on income.may be called s.s.i.not sure please advise.sincerly danny ray gardner
L.A.
Hi, Dan. If you are referring to military credits, under certain circumstances, special extra earnings for your military service from 1957 through 2001 can be credited to your record for Social Security purposes. These extra earnings credits may increase the amount of your Social Security benefit. Special extra earnings credits are granted for periods of active duty or active duty for training. They are not granted for inactive duty training.
For more information on special extra earnings for military service, visit our Retirement Planner. We would be happy to review your record. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask a representative to assist you. Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the day. We hope this helps.
George
Why does social security takes away the spouses social security benefits from the surviving spouse when one dies?
L.A.
Hi, George. If a person is receiving his own Social Security retirement benefits, we pay that amount first. But if the person also qualifies for a higher amount as a surviving spouse, the person will get a combination of benefits that equals that higher amount. For more information, visit our Benefits Planner: Survivors | If You Are The Survivor. If you have specific questions, please call us call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Rose D.
My mom died in May don’t I get a 225 dath benefit I was her only living child also she lived with us
L.A.
Hi, Rose. We are sorry to hear about your loss. The Lump-Sum Death benefit of $255 (a one-time payment) may be payable upon the death of a person who has worked long enough to be insured under Social Security. Only eligible family members may be able to receive the one-time payment and monthly survivor benefits. For more information on this, please read our publication titled, How Social Security Can Help You When a Family Member Dies. We hope this helps.
Mary E.
Please send my mail to my mailing address
2033 W.Lake Ave.Neptune NJ 07753. apt 2033
A.C.
Hi, Mary. If you are receiving Social Security retirement or disability, you can create a personal my Social Security account to change your address online. If you are receiving Supplemental Security Income, you should contact your local office immediately. Just a reminder – please be cautious about posting personal information on social media. We hope this helps.
Lawrence P.
Please contact me regarding my ssa account #*** – ** – ***
A.C.
Hi, Lawrence. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. If you are still need assistance with your personal my Social Security account, you may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “helpdesk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. Thanks!
Deborah C.
Thank u for clearing up some of the mumbo jumbo up. I wish all government offices would implement such co consideration to those of us that are clueless. Three cheers.
william o.
How do I find out how my 4 year military service affect my social security.
Thanks
A.C.
Hi, William. If you are referring to military credits, under certain circumstances, special extra earnings for your military service from 1957 through 2001 can be credited to your record for Social Security purposes. These extra earnings credits may increase the amount of your Social Security benefit. Special extra earnings credits are granted for periods of active duty or active duty for training. They are not granted for inactive duty training.
For more information on special extra earnings for military service, visit our Retirement Planner page. We would be happy to review your record to ensure that you are receiving what you are entitled to. For assistance, you can call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Representatives are available Monday through Friday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. We hope this helps.
Diane M.
I have 2 questions, #1
I’ve been receiving Ssi for 8 years, can I receive more money ? After Medicare my benefit is $1071.
#2 I have been divorced from my ex for 15 years, he has not remarried. Can I receive his benefits in addition to mine ?
A.C.
Hi, Diane. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. Also, keep in mind, to be eligible for divorced spouse benefits, you had to be married to your former spouse for at least 10 years, and you cannot be eligible for a higher benefit on your own record. For more information on how to qualify for divorced spouse benefits, visit here. We hope this helps.
Molly F.
I can’t remember password or user id
L.A.
Hi, Molly. We are sorry you are having difficulty accessing your personal my Social Security account. You may:
•Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778), from Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. At the voice prompt, say “help desk”; or
•Contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
Cecelia n.
I retired in 2009. I worked for post office user fers
I signed a and b originally After 3 yrs I was informed that since I had postal insurance , I didn’t need part b. So I cancelled part b.
Now I want to change my ins. From postal to Medicare
I filled out form 0938-0787. Request for employment info
I went to as office to sign up
I was told I had to wait until open season on January
I wanted to change my ins now because open for postal ins is now
So what I’m asking Is it true I have to wait until Jan 2020?
Any information would help. Thank you
L.A.
Hi Cecelia. The Medicare deadlines are established by law. To learn more about Medicare go to our Frequently Asked Questions and see our publication titled “Medicare.” We hope this helps.