The Different Types of Social Security Benefits

Social security benefits are commonly associated with retirement. But it’s not the only benefit you stand to receive.
There are various types of benefits different people are eligible for.

1. Retirement Benefits

Retirement benefits are available for those who:

Are at least 62 years of age
Have earned at least 40 work credits in their lifetime (you can get four credits for each hour you work)
Have contributed to the social security system while working

You can collect partial benefits at 62. However, you receive maximum benefits only when you reach age 70. The amount you receive is based on your average earnings when you worked the most for 35 years.
There, however, is a limit to how much you can receive.

Spouse’s Eligibility for Social Security Benefits

The spouse of a living retired employee can receive benefits if the spouse:

Is at least 62 years old
Has a child less than 16 years of age
Has a disabled child

Divorced spouses can collect benefits through their former spouse if:

Their marriage lasted at least ten years
They were divorced for at least two years
The spouse didn’t remarry

However, the spouse receives the higher of up to half the spouse’s benefits or their benefits.
They won’t receive both benefits.

2. Survivor Benefits

The spouse and children of a deceased employee can receive a one-time payment of $255 as social security death benefits. They are, however eligible to receive ongoing survivor benefits in these specific conditions.
The spouse can receive SSI if they are:

At least 60 years old
Disabled and at least 50 years old
Have a disabled child or a child under 16

The spouse, however, receives either their widow/er payment or the spouse’s amount, whichever is higher.
The parent of a deceased worker is eligible for benefits if the parent is:

At least 62 years of age
Dependent on the worker for at least half their support

A deceased worker’s own, adopted or dependent stepchildren can also receive social security benefits for children if they are:

Under 18
Under 19 and still in high school
Were disabled before reaching 22 years of age

3. Disability Benefits

It’s not just the retired. Even people who were working but got disabled and cannot work are eligible for disability benefits.
You receive benefits if you got disabled under 24 but worked one and half years within the three years before getting disabled.
You receive benefits if you are over 24 and:

Have a severe medical condition listed on the social security impairment list
Cannot perform your previous jobs
Cannot do any other job you qualify for
The disability lasted or is expected to last for at least one year

The spouse and child of a disabled worker can also receive benefits.
The spouse gets benefits if he/she:

Is at least 62
Has a disabled or an under-16-year-old child
Is divorced but was married to a disabled worker for ten years.

Children, adopted and dependent stepchildren of the disabled spouse are eligible if:

They are under 18
Under 19 but still studying in high school
They got disabled before age 22

4. Supplemental Security Income Benefits

This particular category of benefits is for those who are:

Blind
Disabled
Aged 65 or older
Living on limited income and resources

Consult Your Glendale Social Security Benefits Lawyer to Find Out About Your Eligibility

There are so many confusing ifs and buts about who can receive social security benefits. If you need help with understanding, your social security benefits attorney in Glendale can help. They will define what benefits you are eligible for when you should apply and even help you with the application.