When do I become eligible for benefits?
If I qualify for more than one benefit, can I receive the total amount of both? No. You will receive the benefit amount that provides you with the higher monthly benefit, but you do not receive both benefits added together. When can I receive Social Security retirement benefits?
What happens to my benefit if I claim early? If you start your benefits early, your benefits are reduced permanently. Your benefit is reduced about one-half of one percent for each month you start your Social Security before your full retirement age. For example, if your full retirement age is 67 and you sign up for Social Security when you are 62, you would only get 70% percent of your full benefit. What happens to my benefit if I delay claiming it? You can increase the amount you receive by 8% each year if you delay taking benefits beyond your full retirement age. The increase applies from full retirement age to age 70. Once you reach age 70, no additional delayed credits will be applied, so you should definitely claim your benefit by then. Can I work and still receive my Social Security benefit? You can get a Social Security retirement or survivor benefit and work at the same time. However, if you claim your benefit before full retirement age and make more than the Social Security yearly earnings limit, Social Security will reduce your benefit. For example, if you are under full retirement age for the entire year, Social Security will deduct $1 from your benefit payments for every $2 you earn above the annual limit (For 2022 annual limit is $19,560). But this is only a benefit reduction in the short run; your benefit will be increased at your full retirement age to account for benefits withheld due to earlier earnings. If you claim your benefit at full retirement age or later and still earn income, your benefit will not be impacted no matter how much you earn. What kind of Social Security benefit can I receive if I am a widow? You may be eligible for a survivor’s benefit if your spouse (or former spouse) passes away and is eligible for Social Security benefits. To collect the full Social Security benefit, you must have reached your full retirement age (although you can get reduced benefits starting at age 60, or age 50 if you are disabled) and be unmarried (unless you remarried after age 60). If you are raising the child(ren) of your deceased spouse who are under the age of 16, you may collect survivor benefits regardless of your age. These children receive benefits in their own names from ages 16-19 if they are unmarried and still in high school. What kind of Social Security benefit can I receive if I am divorced? If your ex-spouse is eligible for Social Security benefits, you can receive spousal benefits even if he has remarried and his current spouse is collecting benefits on his record. However, you must have been married at least 10 years and be currently unmarried. If you remarry, you generally cannot collect benefits on your former spouse’s record unless your later marriage ends (whether by death, divorce or annulment). If eligible, you can collect a benefit that is 50% of your ex-spouse’s Social Security full retirement age benefit. Note however that the benefit does not include any delayed retirement credits your ex-spouse may receive. Also, if you claim this benefit before your own full retirement age, the benefit amount will also be reduced. If your ex-spouse is deceased, you can collect survivor benefits, which would be up to 100% of your ex-spouse’s Social Security benefit. How can I find out what my estimated benefit will be? The Social Security Administration stopped mailing benefits statements to workers under the age of 60. The only people who will continue to receive statements in the mail are those 60 and over who do not have a Social Security online account and are not currently receiving Social Security benefits. The easiest way to get an estimate of your benefit is to sign up for an online Social Security account at ssa.gov/myaccount. You can also calculate your benefit using the Social Security Administration’s Retirement Planner, available at ssa.gov/planners. How do I start my Social Security benefits? Social Security benefits are not sent automatically. You must apply for your benefit. The easiest way to apply is online at ssa.gov. You can also call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or make an appointment at your local Social Security office. How long can I collect Social Security benefits? Will I have to pay taxes on my Social Security benefits? You may have to pay federal income taxes on your Social Security benefits if you have other substantial income (such as wages, self-employment, interest, dividends, etc.) in addition to your benefits. About 40% of people who get Social Security have to pay income taxes on their benefits.
Do I get benefits if I have left the paid workforce to care for my family? When can I receive Medicare benefits? Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older. Generally, individuals are automatically eligible for Medicare if they are 65 years old and have 40 quarters of work credit in Social Security covered employment, or their spouse is eligible for Medicare. How do I start my Medicare benefits? If you are approaching age 65 and not receiving Social Security benefits, you must contact Social Security to apply for Medicare benefits. You will not get Medicare information sent to you automatically. You can be penalized for signing up late so you should apply several months before you turn 65, even if you are not ready to retire. You can apply online at ssa.gov/medicare or call 1-800-772-1213. If you are not 65 yet, but are already receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and will have the opportunity to enroll in Part B in the month you turn 65 (or after 24 months of receiving disability benefits). You will receive a Medicare Initial Enrollment Period package three months before your 65th birthday. Download PDF |