Social Security Benefits

What is Social Security?
Social Security is a federal program that provides benefits such as retirement, disability, and survivors benefits. The amount that you pay into Social Security is generally subtracted from your gross income, along with other important taxes. On some pay stubs this is called FICA, which stands for Federal Insurance Contributions Act.

Where does the money go?
Social security provides taxpayers with many important benefits. These benefits include:

• Retirement coverage:
  Benefits paid every month to eligible retired workers, as early as age 62.
• Disability coverage:
  Benefits paid every month to eligible workers of all ages who have a severe disability.
• Family coverage:
  Benefits paid every month to the spouses and children of eligible retired and disabled workers.
• Survivors coverage:
  Benefits paid every month to the eligible widow or widower and children of a decreased worker.
• Medicare benefits:
  Provides help with hospital bills, as well as limited coverage of skilled nursing facility stays, hospice care, and other medical services at age 65 or younger, if you become disabled.

If you are 25 or older and are not already receiving Social Security benefits…
You will receive a Social Security statement just before your birthday every year. You can also call 1-800-829-1040 to request a copy of your statement. This statement is a record of earnings you have paid to Social Security taxes during your working years. This statement provides estimates of the monthly Social Security retirement, disability, and survivors benefits you and your family could be eligible to receive.