Social Security (United States)

Social Security in the United States is a social insurance program funded through a dedicated payroll tax. It is also known as the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance program (OASDI), in reference to its three components. In the calendar year 2004, it paid out almost $500 billion in benefits. http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/STATS/t4a3Outgo.html

Programs

This article concerns the OASDI program, which is administered by the Social Security Administration. Related programs that are not part of the Social Security Administration include Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Black Lung (Pneumoconiosis) benefits, Medicare, railroad retirement benefits, unemployment insurance, and veterans' benefits. The Social Security Administration is also responsible for some programs other than OASDI, such as Supplemental Security Income.

Related Topics:
Social Security Administration - Aid to Families with Dependent Children - Pneumoconiosis - Medicare - Railroad retirement benefits - Unemployment insurance - Veterans' benefits - Supplemental Security Income

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Retirement benefits

The largest component of OASDI is the payment of retirement benefits. Throughout a worker's career, the Social Security Administration keeps track of his or her earnings. The amount of the monthly benefit to which the worker is entitled depends upon that earnings record and upon the age at which the retiree chooses to begin receiving benefits. The earliest age at which (reduced) benefits are payable is 62. Full retirement benefits are available at 65 gradually increasing to 67.

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Disability

A worker who has worked long enough and recently enough to be covered can receive benefits upon becoming totally disabled, regardless of his or her age. The eligibility formula requires a certain number of credits (based on earnings) to have been earned overall, and a certain number within the ten years preceding the disability http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify2.htm, but with more lenient provisions for younger workers who become disabled before having had a chance to compile a long earnings history http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify3.htm. The definition of total disability is fairly strict. The worker must be unable to continue in his or her previous job and unable to adjust to other work; furthermore, the disability must be long term (lasting or expected to last for at least one year or to result in death). http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify4.htm As with the retirement benefit, the amount of the disability benefit payable depends on the worker's age and record of covered earnings.

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Survivors' benefits

If a worker covered by Social Security dies, a surviving spouse or children can receive survivors' benefits. In some instances, survivors' benefits are available even to a divorced spouse. Survivors' benefits to children are not payable past age 19 unless the child was disabled before age 22. http://www.ssa.gov/ww&os2.htm

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