Social Security benefits questions and answers

Social Security benefits may play an important role in your retirement income stream. Here are answers to common questions about Social Security benefits, who is eligible and when.

As long as you’ve been working, you’ve been contributing to a retirement fund: Social Security. But while it may be an important part of your income in retirement—averaging about a third of it for Americans aged 65 or older—it’s intended to supplement your retirement income, rather than be your sole source of cash flow.

Here are some commonly asked questions about Social Security and its role in your overall retirement plan.

When can I start receiving Social Security?

You may be surprised to hear that you can start receiving Social Security benefits as early as age 62 – but that doesn’t mean you should.

The longer you delay receiving benefits, the more you’ll get each month. The smartest thing to do is wait until at least your “full retirement age” before collecting benefits (see below). If you claim benefits before that, your payments will be reduced. And if you wait until you’re older than your full retirement age, the benefits will increase each month until you turn 70. 

What is my full retirement age for Social Security?

Your full retirement age depends on the year you were born. It’s currently 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.

What if I collect Social Security before my full retirement age?

In short, you’ll receive less Social Security income. In fact, you could receive as little as 75% of what you would if you waited just a few years.

For example, if you qualify for a $1,000 monthly benefit at your full retirement age of 67 but decided to start claiming at 62, you would only get $700 a month. On the other hand, if you waited until you turned 70 to claim Social Security, you would receive $1,240 a month.¹

Even if Social Security will only form a small portion of your income in retirement, waiting until at least your full retirement age will bring you a significant percentage more in benefits per month.

Can I get Social Security if I’ve never worked outside the home?

Yes, with some qualifications. If your spouse is a qualified worker, you’ll be able to collect one-half the amount that they do, as long as you wait until you hit your full retirement age. If you claim before that, your benefits will be reduced.

Can I receive Social Security while I’m still working?

Again, yes, with some qualifications. If you expect to keep working right up until your full retirement age but would like to supplement your income with Social Security, you can—as long as you don’t exceed the income limits.

Once you hit your full retirement age, there is no limit to what you can earn from other sources.

Is Social Security taxed?  

It depends on what your combined income is once you start claiming Social Security benefits. If your combined income is $25,000 or more per year (for individual filers) or $32,000 per year (for joint filers), you could be taxed on at least 50%, and up to 85%, of your benefits.

However, if your combined income is less than $25,000 (for individual filers) or $32,000 (for joint filers), you won’t pay tax on your Social Security benefits.

To figure out your combined income, you’ll add your adjusted gross income, any nontaxable interest and half of your Social Security benefits together.

A tax professional can help you figure out the tax rate for your individual circumstances. 

Can I still claim a spousal Social Security benefit if I’m divorced? 

Yes, if:

• You were married to that spouse for at least 10 years, and
• You are not currently married, and
• Your ex-spouse is at least 62 and eligible for Social Security benefits

The rules are slightly different if you are disabled or caring for a child under age 16. In these cases, you can claim for spousal benefits no matter how long you were married to that ex-spouse.

It’s worth noting that if you claim for spousal benefits, your ex-spouse will not be notified to protect your confidentiality. It also won’t affect their own benefits.

What happens to my Social Security benefits upon death?

The answer depends on several factors.

If you’re married when you die, your spouse could begin receiving survivor benefits once they turn 60, or once they turn 50 if they are disabled.

If you were divorced at the time of your death, your ex-spouse could still claim benefits if:

• You were married to them for at least 10 years, and
• The surviving spouse is disabled, or
• They’re caring for a child younger than 16.

As far as how much of your Social Security benefit your surviving spouse would receive, the rules are as follows:

• A widow or widower who has reached full retirement age or older will receive 100% of the deceased worker’s benefit amount
• A widow or widower between age 60 and full retirement age will receive 71.5% to 99% of the deceased worker’s basic amount
• A disabled widow or widower aged 50 through 59 will receive 71.5% of the deceased worker’s full benefit
• A widow or widower, any age, caring for a child under age 16 will receive 75% of the deceased worker’s full benefit

For more information, see the Social Security Administration’s hub page for survivor’s benefits.

What is Social Security’s place in my overall retirement plan?

It’s worth saying again: Social Security is not intended to be the whole of your retirement income. For a comfortable retirement, you should be building savings in other ways, such as through a 401(k) and/or an individual retirement account (IRA).

A financial professional can help you design a comprehensive retirement plan and determine the proper role for Social Security in your retirement and the most effective timing to begin collecting benefits.

What documents do I need to apply for Social Security benefits?

You may be asked for the following documents while applying:

• Social Security card or a record of your number
• Original birth certificate or proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status
• Copy of your U.S. military service paper(s) if you served before 1968
• Copy of your W-2 form(s) and/or self-employment tax return for the last year

This checklist can help you gather information and documents you may need to apply. If you don’t have all the documents, don’t worry. In many cases, your local Social Security office can help you find the information.

How is the Social Security benefit calculated?

There are several factors in determining your Social Security benefits. These factors include:

• Work history
• Actual lifetime earnings
• Social Security “credits” accrued by working
• Cost-of-living increases
• Age when you claim benefits
• Year of birth
• Location

Visit ssa.gov/planners/calculators for calculators to help you make an estimate of your benefits.

How do I apply for Social Security benefits?

You can initiate the process with whichever of the following options you prefer.

• Online at ssa.gov (you’re required to create a my Social Security account prior to applying online)
• Call 800-772-1213, TTY 800-325-0778
• In person at your local Social Security office

Next steps to consider:

• Use our retirement calculator to track your retirement saving progress.
• Learn more about our approach to retirement planning.