Social Security Benefits: Understanding The Benefits of Social Security

Social Security is a simple concept and the benefits of Social Security are easy to understand. It is a program that every US Citizen will encounter at some point or another.Social Security is a government set programs in which you pay a portion of your income taxes to the government, so they can maintain the Social Security program and all its benefits. The tax money is used toward:

• People who already have retired;
• People who are disabled;
• Survivors of workers who have died; and
• Dependents of beneficiaries.

The tax money you contribute towards Social Security is not being saved specifically for you. It is used right now to pay people who are eligible to receive the benefits. Any Social Security money that is not used on benefits goes into a Social Security Trust Fund, not into a personal account for you.

When you work and pay taxes, you earn what is called a Social Security "credit". As of 2010, you earn one credit for each $1120.00 USD earned. You may receive up to 4 Social Security credits.

Most people need to have around 40 Social Security credits, to qualify for benefits. This means about 10 years of work.

Very simply put, your Social Security benefits depend on your lifetime earnings. The government issues a Social Security Statement each year you qualify which estimates the retirement, disability, and survivor benefits you can get based on your earnings.

If you choose to delay your retirement age, you will receive a 7% increase in Social Security benefits each year that you do not receive benefits until you turn 70.

However if you choose to retire early, you can still receive benefits but they will be reduced. The rate of reduction is 1% per every 2 months that you retire before your eligible retirement age. (See chart above)

You are still eligible to receive Social Security benefits while you work. In most cases your benefits will actually increase if you choose to also work. If your earnings reach a certain limit however, your Social Security benefits may decrease because of supplemental income.

The annual limit in 2010 was $37,680. If you earn more than that amount annually, your Social Security benefits will be decreased by $1.00 for each $3.00 earned beyond that limit. (Assuming you have reached your retirement age.)

The rules and restrictions for this category are very broad. Please visit: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10035.html for more information, and call the toll-free number at the top of the webpage.

People that have disabilities, including children, may be eligible for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI). See more information about the SSI at: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/11000.html

If you would like to find out more about the SSI program and apply for the benefits, please visit: www.socialsecurity.gov/applyfordisability.

If you do have a disability or recently became disabled, you should file for Social Security Disability benefits as soon as possible because it often takes several months to process the paperwork. The process can go faster if you have a few useful documents with you at the time. These include:

• Medical records and treatment dates from your doctors, therapists, ­hospitals, clinics and caseworkers;
• Your laboratory and other test results;
• The names, addresses, phone and fax numbers of your doctors, clinics and hospitals;
• The names of all medications you are taking; and
• The names of your employers and job duties for the last 15 years.

About one third (1/3) of individuals who get Social Security benefits, have to pay taxes on these benefits.

If you file a federal tax return as an "individual" and if you earn more than $25,000.00 USD a year, you will have to pay taxes on these benefits. If you file a federal tax return with your spouse and your yearly income exceeds $32,000.00 USD jointly, then you will have to pay taxes on these Social Security benefits.

Please visit the official website at:

• http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10024.html#simpleconcept