Social Security Retirement Insurance

The Social Security Retirement benefit is a monthly payment that replaces part of your income when you reduce your hours or stop working altogether. The monthly payment does not replace all of your income.

To qualify for Retirement Benefits, an individual (i.e., worker) must pay Social Security taxes to earn “credits” towards Social Security Benefits. The number of credits a worker needs to receive retirement depends on when the worker was born. Individuals born in 1929 or later need 40 credits (10 years of work). In addition of having the required credits, individuals must be age 62 or older and file and application with the Social Security Administration. Individuals can also get credits under Social Security systems of certain foreign countries if they are part of the International Social Security agreement. An individual (worker) and their qualified family members can file for benefits if the worker earned the required credits.

A spouse and children can be beneficiaries of benefits under the worker’s record if the worker earned enough credits. Eligible beneficiaries include:
• A spouse must be age 62 or older.
• Spouse younger than age 62 are eligible if they care for a child (age 16 or younger) entitled on the worker’s record or if the child is disable.
• Former spouses are eligible if age 62 or older and if the marriage to the worker lasted at least 10 years.
• Unmarried children up to age 18, or up to 19 if they are a full-time student at an elementary or secondary school (grade 12 or below).
Spouses who never worked or have low earnings on their own work record can file as beneficiary under the worker’s record. Children (including adopted children) of the worker can also file as beneficiary if they meet the age and student eligibility requirement.

Call toll free at 1 (800) 772-1213 or, telephone or visit the local Social Security Office. Retired workers, spouses and divorced spouses may also apply via the Internet.
Individuals meeting the eligibility requirements can file an application at the local SSA office. Once an individual provides the required evidence or proof, an SSA employee will process the application and award benefits. Benefits are paid monthly and for a month on the past. A benefit due for January is paid on February as long as the individual was alive for the full month of January.

Once an individual provides the required evidence or proof, an SSA employee will process the application and award benefits. SSA mails a notice to the beneficiary to notify them of the award.