Originally, Social Security (as we know it today) provided only retirement benefits and only to the worker. The program was amended in 1939 to provide benefits to spouses and minor children, and again in 1956 to provide disability benefits
The U.S. Social Security system is made up of three major components and is officially known as OASDI (Old Age Survivors and Disability Insurance). The three (3) components are:
OAS: Old Age Survivors Insurance - retirement income benefits at age 65 are what most people think of when they think of social security, but social security also provides benefits to surviving spouses and children of deceased beneficiaries if they meet certain eligibility requirements;
DI: Disability insurance - individuals who are unable to work, and their family members, may receive social security disability payments until they reach retirement age, if they meet certain eligibility requirements;
SSI: Supplemental Security Income - provides benefit payments to disabled, blind and elderly people who do not qualify for retirement or disability based on work history. Disabled or blind children can also receive SSI
Social Security (retirement, disability, and survivors benefits) are funded by a payroll tax called Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax (or FICA tax. The FICA tax amount is published on your pay stub or check advice
The Social Security FICA tax rate is 6.2%. Both you and your employer contribute 6.2% of your salary (for a combined contribution of 12.4%), up to the FICA cap.
The current (2013) FICA cap is $113,700. Wages you earn in the calendar year above this cap are not subject to the Social Security FICA tax
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The FICA cap is subject to change each year
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The money collected by Social Security (via the FICA tax) from you and your employer is deposited into trust funds (OASI trust fund) and (DI trust fund) and used to pay benefits for current beneficiaries
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Not all jobs are covered by Social Security. If you work in a job that is not covered by Social Security, you will not pay FICA taxes for THAT job. If you later work in a Social Security covered job, you will pay the FICA tax and may be eligible to receive SS retirement benefits
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Eligibility for SS benefits: You must have the required number or credits (and have paid FICA taxes) before you can receive Social Security benefits
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The required minimum number of credits needed to receive Social Security benefits is 40. You can receive a maximum of four (4) credits per calendar year, and, in 2013, you get one credit for each $1,160 of earnings. It takes approximately 10 years to meet this minimum standard. Your Social Security benefits are calculated based on your 35 highest paid years of earnings
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The average Social Security beneficiary will typically receive more than he or she puts into Social Security