Social Security is a fundamental part of life in the United States, providing retirement security and disability benefits for all. In addition to being a federal program, it has been partially privatized by Congress over the years. It’s important to be aware of what lies ahead for Americans with regard to this landmark legislation. Read on below for some not-so-common knowledge about Social Security that you should know!
1. What Are Your Rights And Responsibilities?
Social Security was established in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt under the Social Security Act of 1935. That act has been changed over time, but it still forms the basis for our social insurance program today. As part of this social insurance program, Congress has created many rules which govern how social security operates and who may qualify to receive social security benefits. Today, there are three types of social security benefits: retirement, survivor, and disability benefits. Understanding your social security rights and benefits is important to make sure you receive all the social security benefits you are due. For example, whether you’re a candidate for social security disability benefits will be determined by the Social Security office and Disability Determination Services office in your state based on your medical data, as stated at Terry Law Firm by their social security law professionals. However, the first requirement is to earn social security credits by working and paying social security taxes.
2. What Are Social Security Credits?
Social security credits are a system of credits that the Social Security Administration (SSA) uses to determine who is eligible for different kinds of benefits. In order to determine social security benefits, the SSA determines how much social security tax an individual has paid. Social security taxes are determined by a social security wage base which is indexed every year to inflation. For example, in order to get social security retirement benefits, you must have worked at least 10 years with social security-covered employment.
3. Can Children Receive Social Security Benefits?
There are a few different social security benefits available to children; a child can get social security benefits if one or both of their parents are disabled, retired, or deceased. In order to qualify for these kinds of benefits, a child must be unmarried, younger than age 18, between ages 18 and 19, and a full-time high school student, or be at age 18 or older with a disability that began before age 22. There are also special circumstances where a stepchild, grandchild, step-grandchild, or adopted child can get social security benefits.
4. Can Spouses Recieve Social Security Benefits?
You are able to receive spousal benefits through your spouse’s account if you are at least 62 years old or if you are between the ages of 60 and 65 but have been recently disabled. The social security spouse benefit is equal to 50% of your spouse’s social security payment. However, there are different rules for divorced spouses depending on how long the couple was married. For example, social security spousal benefits automatically end when a social security beneficiary remarries before the age of 60 (50 if disabled).
5. What Should I Do If I’ve Been Denied For Benefits?
If you’ve been denied social security benefits, you have the right to appeal that decision. You should file an appeal within 60 days of receiving your social security denial letter. Having an attorney represent you can help increase your chances of having your social security claim approved because attorneys are familiar with social security laws and social security appeal rules. It’s also possible to file an appeal without an attorney, but it can take more time and effort, so hiring a social security lawyer is often the best decision for social security disability claimants.
6. What If My Claim Is Denied After An Appeal?
It may be possible to request what is known as a social security disability hearing if your social security claim is denied after appealing the decision. The social security judge or administrative law judge (ALJ) that conducts your social security disability hearing may be able to get you the benefits you need if you had previously received medical treatment, worked in social security-covered employment, and/or met all the social security disability requirements. It’s important to hire a social security lawyer who can provide social security disability evidence that the judge will understand, which makes it more likely for you to get social security benefits.
To help you understand how Social Security will affect your life as an American, we’ve compiled some not-so-common knowledge about social security that you should know. We hope this article helps you understand social security benefits better.
