It’s common to think of Social Security as money you receive in retirement, but the program is actually much broader. Through the Social Security Administration, the government provides payments to spouses, children and those with disabilities, among others.
Here’s a closer look at some benefits of Social Security that you may have missed.
1. Spousal benefits via a current husband or wife
Of all the additional benefits offered by Social Security, spousal benefits may be the best known. Spouses can receive as much as half of their husband’s or wife’s monthly benefit. Even stay-at-home spouses without their own work history can claim benefits in this way.
You can begin claiming spousal benefits as early as age 62, although benefits are reduced if payments begin before your full retirement age.
People can also receive spousal benefits at any age if they are caring for a child who is disabled or younger than age 16 and who is receiving benefits from the spouse’s record.
If you are entitled to your own benefits as well as spousal benefits, you will receive an amount equal to whichever benefit level is greater.
2. Spousal benefits via an ex-spouse
Even if you are divorced, you may be entitled to spousal benefits. To receive these benefits, all of the following must apply to your situation:
- Your ex-spouse is entitled to receive Social Security benefits.
- You were married at least 10 years to your ex-spouse.
- You are unmarried now.
- You are at least 62 years old.
- The benefit that you are entitled to receive based on your own work is less than the benefit you would receive based on your ex-spouse’s work.
Claiming spousal benefits as a divorced person does not affect your ex-husband or ex-wife’s benefit amount. It also doesn’t affect any benefits their current spouse can receive should they have remarried.
3. Survivor benefits for widows and widowers
If your husband or wife dies, you may still be able to receive up to 100% of their Social Security retirement benefits.
Most widows and widowers can begin claiming survivor benefits as early as age 60. Those who have a disability and became disabled prior to or within seven years of their spouse’s death can start benefits as early as age 50.
What’s more, widows and widowers of any age can receive survivor benefits if they are caring for a deceased worker’s child who is younger than age 16 or disabled.
Be aware that if you remarry before age 60 — or age 50 if you’re disabled — you cannot receive these survivor benefits. As with spousal benefits, if you are receiving survivor benefits and begin your own retirement benefits, you’ll receive whichever amount is higher.
4. Survivor benefits for divorced surviving spouses
Divorced surviving spouses may be able to receive survivor benefits based on the earnings record of their deceased ex-spouse if they were married to that person for at least 10 years.
Like widows and widowers, a divorced surviving spouse must be at least 60 years old to begin claiming survivor benefits, or at least 50 if they have a disability.
The only exception is if you are caring for your child who is younger than age 16 and who is also the natural or legally adopted child of your former spouse. In that case, neither the 10-year length-of-marriage rule nor the minimum age requirement applies.
5. Survivor benefits for children
Spouses aren’t the only ones entitled to survivor benefits. Children can receive payments from a deceased parent’s record as well.
Survivor benefits are available to children up to age 18, or age 19 for those still attending elementary or secondary school full-time. Benefits may extend beyond that if a child becomes disabled and remains disabled before age 22.
Depending on the circumstances, grandchildren and stepchildren may also be eligible for these benefits.
6. Survivor benefits for dependent parents
A parent who depended on a child for financial support may be eligible to receive benefits from Social Security should that child die.
To be eligible for Social Security parent’s benefits, you must meet several criteria, including the following:
- The deceased worker must have enough work credits to qualify for Social Security benefits.
- You must be at least 62 years old and, in most cases, cannot have married after the worker’s death.
- You must have received at least one-half of your support from the deceased worker at certain points in time.
- You were the natural parent or became the legal adoptive parent or stepparent prior to the worker turning 16 years old.
- You are not eligible for a retirement benefit from Social Security that exceeds the parent’s benefit.
7. Disability benefits
More than 8 million people receive monthly benefits through the Social Security Disability Insurance program. To receive benefits, people must have a work history that makes them eligible for Social Security and be unable to work now because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least a year or end in death.
The process for applying for Social Security Disability benefits may require applicants to submit a significant amount of documentation. For those who are denied benefits initially, there is an appeals process.
8. Supplemental Security Income
While the Social Security Administration oversees the Supplemental Security Income program, these benefits don’t come from Social Security taxes. Instead, the program uses general tax dollars to provide benefits to people who are age 65 or older, blind or disabled, and who have little to no income.
Commonly called SSI, this program is intended to provide cash assistance for basic needs such as food, clothing and housing. Since the program is funded by general tax revenue, there is no work history requirement to receive these benefits.
