The main Social Security services are retirement benefits, disability insurance, survivor benefits, and Supplemental Security Income

Social Security runs four separate programs, each with different rules about who can receive payments and how much. Retirement benefits go to workers who reach their full retirement age or choose to start early. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays workers under full retirement age who cannot work because of a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Survivor benefits go to the spouse, children, and parents of a worker who has died. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a needs-based program for people 65 and older, blind, or disabled with limited income and resources, regardless of work history.

Each program has its own application process, payment amounts, and rules about working while receiving benefits. Understanding which one applies to your situation is the first step, because the requirements and next steps are completely different for each.

Key Takeaways

  • Retirement benefits depend on your age and work history; you can start as early as 62, but waiting until 70 increases your monthly payment.
  • SSDI requires a medical condition that prevents substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months, and you must have worked recently enough to have earned credits.
  • Survivor benefits are available to family members of a deceased worker without a separate application in most cases — Social Security contacts them automatically.
  • SSI is based on income and assets, not work history, and the income limits are low; you can have no more than $2,000 in resources as an individual.
  • You can apply online, by phone, or in person at your local Social Security office, and the process typically takes several weeks to several months.

Retirement benefits and when you can start receiving them

You become may be able to access for retirement benefits once you turn 62, but your monthly payment depends on when you claim. If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age — the age at which you receive 100 percent of your benefit — is between 66 and 67. Claiming before that age reduces your payment permanently; claiming after it increases your payment by about 8 percent per year until age 70.

To receive retirement benefits, you need to have earned at least 40 work credits during your lifetime. You earn one credit for each $1,770 of wages in 2023 (the amount changes yearly), up to four credits per year. Most people earn 40 credits over roughly 10 years of full-time work. If you have not worked that long, you may still be may be able to access as a spouse or former spouse of someone who has.

Your payment amount is based on your highest 35 years of earnings. If you worked fewer than 35 years, zeros are counted for the missing years, which lowers your benefit. You can view your earnings record and get an estimate of your future benefit by creating an account on ssa.gov.

Social Security Disability Insurance for workers who cannot work

SSDI pays workers under full retirement age who have a medical condition that prevents them from doing substantial work. The condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. "Substantial work" means earning more than a certain monthly amount; in 2024, that threshold is $1,550 per month for non-blind individuals and $2,590 for blind individuals.

To receive SSDI, you must have earned enough work credits — typically 40 credits, with at least 20 earned in the 10 years before you became disabled. Younger workers may need fewer credits. You apply by submitting medical evidence of your condition, work history, and current income. The initial decision usually takes three to six months, though many people are denied on first application and must request reconsideration or a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Once you are approved for SSDI, you can continue working part-time as long as your earnings stay below the substantial work threshold. After you reach full retirement age, your SSDI benefit converts to a retirement benefit at the same payment amount.

Survivor benefits for family members of deceased workers

When a worker who has earned enough credits dies, Social Security automatically pays benefits to their surviving spouse (at any age if caring for a child under 16), children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school), and parents age 62 or older who depended on the worker. You do not need to apply separately; Social Security contacts family members when it learns of the death.

The total amount paid to all family members cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of what the worker would have received at full retirement age. If multiple family members are may be able to access, the payment is divided among them. A surviving spouse can also receive a one-time death benefit of $255.

Survivor benefits end when a child turns 19 (or 16 if not in school), when a spouse remarries before age 60, or when the beneficiary reaches full retirement age and chooses to stop. A surviving spouse can also delay claiming until full retirement age to receive a higher payment.

Supplemental Security Income for people with low income and resources

SSI is a separate program from SSDI and retirement benefits. It pays people age 65 and older, blind, or disabled with limited income and resources. Unlike SSDI, SSI does not require a work history. The income limit is $943 per month for an individual and $1,415 for a couple in 2024 (amounts increase yearly). You can have no more than $2,000 in countable resources as an individual or $3,000 as a couple.

Resources include cash, bank accounts, stocks, and property — but not your home, one vehicle, household goods, or personal items. Some income is not counted: the first $65 of monthly earnings, half of earnings above that, and certain other sources like food assistance or housing support.

SSI payments are modest — the federal base rate is $914 per month for an individual in 2024 — but the program also makes you may be able to access for Medicaid in most states. You apply at your local Social Security office or online at ssa.gov.

How to apply for Social Security services

You can apply online at ssa.gov for retirement benefits, SSDI, and SSI. The online application for retirement takes about 15 minutes. SSDI and SSI applications are longer and ask detailed questions about your medical condition, work history, and finances. You can save your progress and return later.

You can also apply by phone at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or in person at your local Social Security office. If you apply in person, bring your Social Security card, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship or legal residency. For SSDI or SSI, also bring medical records, a list of medications, and names and addresses of doctors who have treated you.

After you apply, Social Security sends you a notice with your application number and tells you what happens next. Processing times vary: retirement benefits usually take two to four weeks; SSDI and SSI take much longer, often three to six months for an initial decision.

Working while receiving Social Security benefits

The rules about working differ by program. If you are receiving retirement benefits before full retirement age, Social Security reduces your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above $23,400 per year (2024). In the year you reach full retirement age, the reduction is $1 for every $3 earned above $62,400, but only for earnings before the month you reach full retirement age. Once you reach full retirement age, you can earn any amount without losing benefits.

If you are receiving SSDI, you can work part-time as long as your earnings stay below the substantial work threshold. Social Security also offers a trial work period of nine months during which you can test your ability to work without losing benefits, even if you earn above the threshold. After the trial work period ends, your benefits continue for three more months while you work, then stop if your earnings remain substantial.

If you are receiving SSI, your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above $65 per month. Working can also affect your resource limit and Medicaid may be able to access, so contact Social Security before you start work to understand how it will affect your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Social Security if I did not work long enough?

For retirement benefits, you need 40 work credits (roughly 10 years of work). If you have fewer, you may still receive benefits as a spouse or former spouse of someone who does. For SSDI, you need fewer credits if you became disabled before age 24. If you do not meet work requirements for any program, you may be may be able to access for SSI based on age, blindness, or disability and low income.

What happens if I was denied Social Security?

You have 60 days from the date of the denial letter to request reconsideration. Social Security will review your case with new evidence. If denied again, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge, which is where many people's cases are approved. You can represent yourself or hire a lawyer.

Can I receive both retirement benefits and SSDI?

No. Once you reach full retirement age, your SSDI benefit automatically converts to a retirement benefit at the same amount. You cannot receive both programs at the same time, but you can receive retirement benefits and SSI together if your income is low enough.

How do I check my Social Security earnings record?

Create an account at ssa.gov and sign in to view your earnings history, benefit estimates, and payment information. You can also request a paper copy by calling 1-800-772-1213. Review your record for errors, because mistakes can lower your future benefits.

What if I move or change my address?

Report address changes online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local office. If you move out of the United States, contact Social Security before you leave, because some benefits have restrictions on payments to people living abroad.