Social Security Flashcards
Approx. ___ of all workers are covered under SS
96%
More than _ of 10 workers age 65 or older receive SS
9
Who does SS cover?
- most private sector employees
- most self-employed
- members of the US armed forces
Who does SS exclude?
- Federal employees hired before 1984
- certain state and local employees
- railroad employees covered under the railroad retirement ststem
4 types of SS benefits
- retirement
- disability
- spouse’s benefit
- survivor’s benefit
Most SS benefits require a person to be ___ insured or _____ insured
fully; currently
How does a person become insured?
by acquiring a certain number of quarters of coverage
What does the number of quarters of coverage determine?
- full insured status
- currently insured status
- insured status for establishing disability
What is a quarter
a calendar quarter ending Mar 31, June 30, Sept 30 and Dec 31
What do quarters NOT determine?
the size of SS benefit
An individual can aqcuire quarters before age ___ or after ____
21; retirement age
Fully insured requirements (3)
- at least 6 quarters of coverage
- Has aquired at least as many quartes of coverage as years elapsing after 1950 OR (if later) AFTER the year in which he reaches 21 AND BEFORE he dies or reaches age 62 (whichever comes first)
- has 40 quarters of coverage
What benefits do fully insured workers receive?
retirement and disability benefits
Currently insured requirement
Worker has acquired at least 6 quarters of coverage during the full 13 quarter period ending with the calendar quarter in which a person dies, becomes entitled to disability benefits, or retirement benefits
If a worker is currently insured at the time of death, family members can receive: (3)
- child benefits
- mother or father’s benefits
- lump sum death payment
Benefits for a surviving spouse age 60 or over and benefits for a dependent parent are only payable if the worker was _____ at death
fully insured
Worker Retirement Benefits Requirements (3)
- fully insured
- at least age 62 throughout the first month of entitlement
- filed an application for retirement benefits
Reduced benefits are available beginning at age ____
62
Worker Disability Benefit Requirements (5)
- is insured for disability benefits
- under age 65
- has been/expected to be disabled for at least 12 months
- has filed an application for benefits
- has completed a five month waiting period or is exempt from waiting period
Do family benefit limits for a disabled worker differ from the family benefit limits for a retiring worker?
yes
An individual is entitled to a spouse’s benfits under a worker’s SS record if….
- the worker was entitled to retirement or disability benefits
- spouse filed an application for spousal benefits
A spouse is NOT entitled to retirement or disability benefits of a worker if….
- the spouse’s primary insurance amount is greater than 1/2 the worker’s
AND
-spouse is either age 62
OR - cares for a child under age 16, or who is disabled and entitled to benefits
A spouse of a worker must also meet ONE of what conditions?
- was married to the worker for more than 1 year before applying for benefits
- be the natural mother or father of a worker’s child
Surviving spouse’s entitled to mother or father’s benefits if: (6)
- is caring for a child under 16 or one who is disabled before age 22
- child must be survivor’s own or adopted
- surviving spouse is unmarried
- no widow/widower’s benefit is available
- no retirement income available greater than mother’s or father’s benefit
- application is filed
