HAMPTON, Va. –
Social Security is more than retirement; it reaches almost every family, and at some point, will touch the lives of nearly all Americans.
Although it's true that most of the people receiving Social Security receive retirement benefits, many others get Social Security because they are:
* Disabled; or
* A spouse or child of someone who gets Social Security; or
* A spouse or child of a worker who died; or
* A dependent parent of a worker who died.
Depending on circumstances, people may be eligible for Social Security at any age.
The current Social Security system works like this: when people work, they pay taxes into Social Security. The tax money is used to pay benefits to:
* People who already have retired;
* People who are disabled;
* Survivors of workers who have died; and
* Dependents of beneficiaries.
* Divorced spouses who were married at least 10 years and meet certain requirements.
As people work and pay taxes, they earn Social Security "credits." In 2008, workers earn one credit for each $1,050 in earnings -- up to a maximum of four credits per year. The amount of money needed to earn one credit goes up every year.
The number of credits people need to qualify for Social Security benefits depends on their age and the type of benefit for which they are eligible. Most people need 40 credits (10 years of work) to qualify for benefits. Younger people need fewer credits to be eligible for disability benefits or for family members to be eligible for survivor's benefits when the worker dies.
People can get both Social Security benefits and military retirement. Generally, there's no reduction of Social Security benefits because of military retirement benefits. People will get their full Social Security benefit based on their earnings. Servicemembers pay Social Security taxes just as civilian employees do. In 2008, the tax rate is 7.65 percent, up to a maximum of $102,000.
Social Security statement provides a concise, easy-to-read personal record of the earnings on which people have paid Social Security taxes and a summary of the estimated benefits workers and their families may receive as a result of those earnings.
The Social Security Statement is mailed automatically to workers aged 25 and older, and at any time to workers of any age who request them. For more information, go to
www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement/.
Disability Benefits For Wounded Warriors
Military servicemembers can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs
http://www.seamlesstransition.va.gov/benefits.asp and require a separate application.
The expedited process is used for military servicemembers who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.
What types of benefits can one receive?
Social Security pays disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security disability insurance program, which pays benefits to the payee and certain members of the payee' s family if the payee is "insured," meaning that the payee worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes; and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which pays benefits based on financial need.
What is Social Security's definition of disability?
By law, Social Security has a very strict definition. To be found disabled:
* The person must be unable to do substantial work because of their medical condition(s); and
* The person's medical condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least one year or be expected to result in death.
While some programs give money to people with partial disability or short-term disability, Social Security does not.
How does military pay affect eligibility for disability benefits?
The person cannot engage in substantial work activity for pay or profit, also known as substantial gainful activity. Active duty status and receipt of military pay does not, in itself, necessarily prevent payment of disability benefits. Receipt of military payments should never stop people from applying for disability benefits from Social Security. If an individual is receiving treatment at a military medical facility and working in a designated therapy program or on limited duty, we will evaluate their work activity to determine their eligibility for benefits. The actual work activity is the controlling factor and not the amount of pay they receive or their military duty status.
How does one apply?
One may apply for disability benefits at any time while in military status or after discharge, whether one is still hospitalized, in a rehabilitation program or undergoing out-patient treatment in a military or civilian medical facility. There are many ways to apply, online at
www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors, in person at the nearest Social Security office
http://mwww.ba.ssa.gov/locator/ , or by calling 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment. For the deaf or hard of hearing, call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. Online we have a "disability starter kit
http://mwww.ba.ssa.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits_adult_eng.htm " available to help complete the application.
For more information on the topics discussed, one can request the following publications online:
Understanding The Benefits (Publication No. 05-10024)
Military Service And Social Security (Publication No. 05-10017)
Disability Benefits For Wounded Warriors (Publication No. 05-10030)
Social Security is always seeking opportunities to communicate with the American public about our programs, benefits, and services. We provide speakers, at no charge, for public affairs events, conferences, class seminars and workshops. Speaker requests can be made online at
www.social security.gov/organizations/.