With you through life’s journey...
Social Security touches your life, no matter where you are on life’s journey. Whether you just had a baby or started planning for retirement, Social Security is there for you and your family, providing vital services and a social safety net for millions.
This year about 184 million people will work and pay Social Security taxes and almost 68 million people will receive monthly Social Security benefits. With retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, we improve the quality of life for millions throughout life’s journey.
We’re with you from birth
Most parents apply for a child’s Social Security number at birth, usually through the hospital. When the time comes for your kid’s first job, the number is already in place.
A fun bonus of assigning Social Security numbers at birth is that we know the most popular baby names, which we announce each year. On our website, you can find the top baby names for the last 100 years.
We’re with you throughout your career
Every time you change jobs, your employer verifies your Social Security number with us. Doing so helps reduce fraud and improves the accuracy of your earnings records, ensuring you get the benefits you have earned.
Employers collect FICA, or Federal Insurance Contributions Act withholdings, and report earnings electronically. This is how we track your earnings and is how you earn Social Security retirement, disability, and survivors coverage for you and your family. A worker earns up to four Social Security credits each year and needs 40 credits, or 10 years of work, to be eligible for retirement benefits.
Verify your earnings record by creating a my Social Security and checking your Social Security Statement.
We’re there celebrating weddings
Whether you are celebrating your wedding anniversary or starting a new chapter with a new spouse, a part of that new life may be a new name.
If you legally change your name due to marriage, divorce, or any other reason, let us know so you can get an updated Social Security card — and so we can accurately keep track of your earnings. There is no charge for a Social Security card.
We’re there to help if disability strikes
Disability benefits provide modest coverage for severely disabled workers and their dependents, including our wounded warriors. In 2022, over 8 million workers and their dependents received disability benefits. Rest assured that if the unexpected happens, we are here to help.
Learn more on our Disability Facts page.
We’re there to provide comfort during difficult times
The loss of a loved one can be both emotionally and financially difficult. Some widows, widowers, and children may receive survivors benefits to help them cope with the financial loss.
The number of credits needed to provide benefits for survivors depends on the worker’s age when he or she dies.
Unmarried children who are under age 18 (up to age 19 if attending elementary or secondary school full time) can be eligible to receive Social Security benefits when a parent dies.
We wouldn’t miss your retirement party
When most people think of Social Security, they think of retirement benefits — with good reason. But we are more than retirement benefits; we offer many online tools to help you plan for your future.
With a my Social Security account, you can estimate your future benefits at different ages when you may want to start receiving benefits.
We are with those who need a helping hand...
Social Security administers the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which is a program that provides income support to people with disabilities and people who are age 65 or older, or blind, who have low income and resources. U.S. Treasury general funds, not the Social Security trust funds, pay for SSI.
If you or someone you know may be eligible for SSI, visit SSI Benefits to learn more and apply.
And we will be there for years to come...
Social Security has two trust funds — Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI). Historically, the OASI and DI Trust Funds have reached times where dedicated tax revenue fell short of the cost of providing benefits and also times where the trust funds have reached the brink of exhaustion of assets. However, Congress approved the Social Security Amendments of 1977 and 1983, which made substantial modifications that reversed the cash flow of the program to positive levels and caused the substantial buildup of assets that exists today.
Social Security has always changed to meet the needs of the people we serve and will continue to help support you and your family.