Benefits for People on Social Security

Retirement Benefits

You must earn at least 40 work credits to receive Social Security retirement benefits. As of April 2011, one credit is issued for each $1,120 you earn during a year, with a maximum of four credits earned per year. Social Security retirement benefits are based on the gross wages that you earn over the course of your career. Generally, the higher your gross wages, the larger amount of money you receive in your Social Security retirement check. Although you can start collecting partial retirement benefits at 62 years old, the age at which you can collect full retirement benefits is based on the year you were born. For example, if you were born in 1937 or earlier, your full retirement age is 65 years. If you were born in 1960 or later, your full retirement age is 67.

Medicare benefits are available to Americans who are at least 65 years old. You can also receive the benefits as the spouse or dependent of a qualifying Social Security retirement benefits recipient who has died. You can receive free medical care at facilities such as general and surgical hospitals. You can also get your outpatient care, physical therapy and vision care paid for through Medicare's Part B and C plans. Part D plans help cover the costs of prescriptions.

Before you get disability benefits, staff members at the Social Security Administration (SSA) review your medical records. They might ask you to complete medical tests. Additionally, your disability must last longer than a year. If the disability is expected to cause your death, you can also get Social Security disability benefits. Although you do not have to work as long as other people to receive benefits, generally you must have worked at least a year to receive them. For example, you must work at least 1-1/2 years to receive the benefits at age 28 years or younger. If you file for the benefits when you are 42 years old, you must have worked at least five years.

If you are blind, disabled or 65 years or older, and your income is low, you can apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSA will ask for items such as your tax returns, pay stubs and Social Security number to confirm your identity and income. The first $20 a month of your income is not considered when the administration calculates your SSI payments. If you are married, the administration will factor in half of your spouse's income to determine whether you qualify for SSI benefits.