Socialsecurity.gov ⏬👇

Social Security is a government program that offers retirement, disability, and survivors benefits to eligible workers and their families.

Social Security is the most important social program in the United States. It provides retirement, disability and survivor benefits to more than 60 million people.

Social Security is financed on a pay-as-you-go basis—current workers’ taxes pay for current beneficiaries’ benefits. Social Security is not an insurance program, it is an income transfer program. Taxes from workers support current beneficiaries, who make up about 58% of all recipients. The remainder are their families or survivors of deceased workers.

Social Security is designed to provide a secure base of income after retirement, disability or death. The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers these programs for the federal government. The SSA uses worker and employer payroll taxes to pay for benefits.

You can start by searching for specific topics or information, like how much Social Security disability benefits pay or how long it takes to get Medicare coverage. If you don’t know where to start, but still want a little guidance, we’ve got some suggested content at the top of each page. Or if you just want a general overview of how Social Security works, check out our “How It Works” section.

Social Security Benefits

Social Security is a federal government program that provides retirement income and disability benefits to workers and their families. It also provides benefits for people with disabilities who have worked. The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees the administration of this program.

In order to be eligible for Social Security, you must:

Be at least 62 years old.

Have worked in jobs covered by Social Security for 10 years or more (30 quarters).

Social Security benefits can be a great way to help you and your family through tough times.

If you are disabled, have worked and paid into Social Security, you may be eligible for disability benefits.

Social Security disability benefits are designed to help people who cannot work because of a medical condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death.

You may also be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you cannot work due to mental or physical impairment that has lasted for at least 12 months and meets certain other requirements.

To get benefits, you must apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).