During several other blog posts we have discussed the different types of Social Security benefits. For most Americans when the topic of Social Security benefits comes up the thought typically goes to retired workers who tend to be out of the work force. This is probably because the majority of Social Security benefits, as documented here by Social Security, reports that of all new benefits paid in 2014, the majority (53 percent) were paid to retired workers. That means that 47 percent of all new Social Security benefits paid in 2014 were non-retirement benefits.
This may seem surprising, but Social Security offers many different programs where people can receive benefits. Social Security provided new benefits to survivors and dependents at the rate of 33 percent in 2014. Widows or Widowers can receive benefits on their spouse’s earnings as early as age 60 if they decide to collect reduced benefits. Widows and widowers who reached age 50 and are found disabled can collect on their spouse’s earnings as well as long as they have not remarried prior to receiving benefits and benefits began within seven years of a spouse’s death. Additionally, widows and widowers can receive survivor’s benefits at any age if they are caring for the deceased person’s child who is under the age of 16. Minor children are also eligible to receive their own survivor’s benefits when a parent dies.
Lastly, Social Security also pays disability benefits. About 15 percent of all new benefits paid in 2014 went to disability recipients. These types of benefits are a safety net for people who are struggling to make it if a loved one passes away or they become disabled and are unable to work. Many people may not be aware of these types of benefits. More information about these benefits can be obtained by visiting www.ssa.gov.
