Social Security benefits provide financial support to retirees, disabled individuals, and eligible family members based on contributions.
Many Americans depend on Social Security as a vital financial lifeline, especially in retirement or during life-altering events. But not everyone qualifies. The eligibility for these benefits depends on several key factors, including age, work history, disability status, and family relationship to a qualifying worker. Here’s a comprehensive look at who can receive Social Security benefits.
Retirees: The Largest Group of Beneficiaries
Retirement benefits are the most common form of Social Security. To qualify:
- You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years (40 credits).
- You can begin receiving benefits at age 62, though full retirement age is typically 66 or 67, depending on your birth year.
- Delaying benefits past full retirement age (up to 70) can increase your monthly payment.
Most American workers qualify for Social Security retirement benefits by the time they retire.
Disabled Workers: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI supports individuals who are unable to work due to a long-term disability.
- To qualify, you must have a medical condition that meets the SSA’s strict definition of disability.
- You also need to have worked and paid into the system—usually about five of the last ten years.
- There’s no minimum age to receive SSDI, but your disability must be expected to last at least a year or result in death.
SSDI is a crucial safety net for those whose ability to work is severely impacted.
Family Members of Qualified Workers
Certain family members can also receive dependent or survivor benefits based on someone else’s work record, including:
- Spouses (current or former) aged 62+ or any age if caring for a qualifying child
- Children under 18 (or up to 19 if still in high school)
- Disabled children of any age if the disability began before age 22
- Surviving spouses may also receive benefits if their partner dies
Social Security helps protect not just individuals, but their families too.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): For Low-Income Individuals
Although technically separate from Social Security benefits, SSI provides assistance to low-income individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled.
- It’s funded by general tax revenues—not Social Security taxes.
- You don’t need a work history to qualify.
- Income and resource limits apply.
