What to Know
Different Benefit Types:
Retirement
- You must be 62 years or older; and
- Have worked and paid Social Security taxes for 10 years or more.
Disability
- You have a disability or blindness, and
- Enough work history
Survivor
- You must be related to someone who worked and paid Social Security taxes before he or she died.
- You might be that person's:
- Husband or wife (legally)
- Ex-husband or ex-wife
- Child
- Dependent parent
Family
- You must be related to someone who is entitled to Retirement or Disability.
- You might be that person's:
- Husband or wife (legally)
- Ex-husband or ex-wife
- Child
- Grandchild
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- You have little or no income, and
- Little or no resources, and
- A disability, blindness, or you are 65 years or older
Medicare
- This is health insurance that you can if you are 65 years or older, or
- Have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), or
- Get Disability benefits