Savvy seniors who are planning for their financial future should be sure to know about all their options when it comes to Social Security benefits. There are many types of benefits offered by the Social Security Administration, and by combining benefits and knowing what benefits they qualify for seniors can make the most of the benefits they are entitled to.

Retirement Benefits

If you have paid into the Social Security system you are entitled to retirement benefits after a certain age. You can start drawing your retirement benefits as early as age 62, however, if you start drawing your retirement benefits at age 62 you will only receive a small portion of the total benefit. If you can wait until you reach full retirement age you should because in order to get the full retirement benefit you must wait until reaching your full retirement age. There are other types of benefits that you may be eligible for that can help you get by until you reach full retirement age.

Disability Benefits

Applying for disability benefits is a great way to get the help you need and delay taking your Social Security retirement benefit until you reach full retirement age. Anyone that has worked in the past and paid taxes but now can’t work because of an illness or disability can apply for Social Security disability benefits. You will need to submit medical proof that your condition meets the requirements set by the Social Security Administration in order to have your claim approved, but if you are approved those benefits can help you pay for living expenses without having to tap your Social Security retirement benefit.

Survivor’s Benefits

If your spouse was receiving Social Security benefits and passes away, you and any dependent children that you’re taking care of may qualify for Survivor’s Benefits. Survivor’s Benefits are also available to former spouses of someone that was receiving Social Security benefits as long as they were legally married for at least ten years.

Minor children or disabled children of the deceased person can receive Survivor’s Benefits as long as they are under 18, or as long as they are disabled, and their disability was diagnosed before they turned 22. Grandchildren of a deceased grandparent who are under 18 can qualify for this benefit if the grandparent was their legal guardian. Children of a deceased person who was receiving Social Security benefits usually receive up to 75% of the benefit that their relative or guardian was receiving.

Surviving Spouses

The spouse of a deceased person that was receiving Social Security benefits can get from75%-100% of the benefit amount that was paid to their spouse if their spouse passes away as long as they are over the age of 60. Disabled spouses can qualify for Survivor’s Benefits at age 50.

Auxiliary Benefits

Another type of benefit that family members can qualify for is Auxiliary benefits. Auxiliary benefits pay a portion of the amount of the Social Security benefits that a relative or guardian is receiving as long as the person qualifies for benefits. Auxiliary benefits usually pay a percentage of the amount that the person’s relative or guardian receives. In order to qualify for Auxiliary benefits children be under the age of 18 or disabled. A spouse can qualify for Auxiliary benefits if they are older than 62 or if they have a child with the person receiving benefits that are under the age of 16 and they have at least half-time custody of. Grandparents who have legal guardianship of a child whose parent receives Social Security benefits can also draw Auxiliary benefits on behalf of that child.

Resources:

Silver Key: https://www.silverkey.org/

Disability Benefits: https://www.disabilitybenefitscenter.org/disability_benefits.shtml

Survivor’s Benefits: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/survivors/

Local SSA Office: https://www.disabilitybenefitscenter.org/state-social-security-disability

Citation of this article:
Cendy Moliere
Disability Benefits Center
https://www.disabilitybenefitscenter.org/