| Unlike what most Americans perceive it; Social | | | | workers who have sustained any physical or mental |
| Security is not just focused in Retirement Benefits. | | | | impairment, which prevented them from performing |
| Rather, it covers other important programs that serve | | | | "substantial gainful activities", that is expected to last or |
| the purpose of helping the workers and their families | | | | has already lasted for at least a period of one year or |
| with their financial needs in certain difficult situations of | | | | probable to result in death. To see a complete list of |
| their lives. | | | | impairments accepted by the SSA, you may go to |
| Practically, the Social Security Program of the | | | | their nearest office or you may again log on to their |
| government includes these three major concerns: | | | | website. |
| | | | If you have been disabled, it would be necessary for |
| 1. Retirement | | | | you to file your application immediately since the actual |
| 2. Disability | | | | process of Social Security benefit claims may take |
| 3. Survivor's Benefits | | | | quite a long period. It is also important that you bring the |
| Retirement Benefits | | | | following upon your application: |
| Originally, Social Security intends to impart workers | | | | - Your complete medical records including those results |
| with a continuous source of income after they have | | | | of your check ups from your doctors and therapists |
| reached the full age of retirement. The amount of | | | | - The laboratory findings and other test results |
| retirement benefits will be based on the employee's | | | | connected with your disability |
| average earnings throughout his or her working career. | | | | - The names and contact information of your medical |
| This would mean that the higher career earnings of an | | | | attendants |
| employee, the higher amount of benefits that he can | | | | - Your employer's name and a description of your job |
| get from the Social Security Administration. | | | | Survivors Benefits |
| Obtaining eligibility for retirement benefits is just as | | | | This program of the SSA seeks to provide financial |
| easy. Workers who were born after 1928 just have to | | | | assistance to the surviving family of a deceased |
| earn forty Social Security credits by paying his Social | | | | worker. When you die for any natural reason, your |
| Security taxes. Every year, an employee may earn | | | | love ones may file their Social Security benefit claims |
| four credits, enabling him to earn his eligibility for at least | | | | with the SSA. Your family members who can collect |
| ten years of working. | | | | their benefits are: |
| A worker's full age of retirement depends on the year | | | | - Widow or widower who is |
| of his birth. For more details, you may log on to the | | | | - 60 yrs. of age or above |
| SSA's website at | | | | - 50 yrs. of age or above if disabled |
| Disability Benefits | | | | - At any age if taking care of your child younger than |
| Social Security Disability or SSD benefits support the | | | | 16 yrs. |