Every citizen in the United States must know about social
security, no matter more or a bit. If you
have decided to secure your future, then social security is the first thing on
which you can rely on. Though there is
an excellent amount of information, laws, rules, categories involved, but with
the right information, the guidance you can surely take the full benefits from
your social security. Well, social security is for the retiree, divorcee,
disables, but is it for the homemakers as well? Many homemakers have this
question in mind. Well, when social security was established in the 1930s, then
there was only one person in the family member who used to earn for the entire
family. He was also the only one who was
eligible to receive social security benefits. This caused issues in the life of
the spouse who does not work in case her or his spouse passed away. Thankfully,
this issue was considered by the social security administration. Then there was
a law that allowed the wives to collect the social security spouse benefits in case
her earning husband died on his behalf. Since
social security laws were established, the dynamics have completely changed
now. It started in 1935, and today we are living in 2020. Still, there are many families on this planet
where only one member earns and still do not qualify for the social security
benefits because of their low earnings.
Every person needs to know that if you follow the social
security eligibility criteria carefully and get some help from others who know
about social security will be of great help.
Here are the requirements explained about social security eligibility
and how you can obtain benefits within limits.
Age
Age is one of the most important aspects to consider because
applying before the retirement age is going to deduct some of your benefits. Unknowingly
you might prevent them. The retirement age is 62. There are other social security
benefits such as disability and survivor benefits when you can apply anytime
the mishappening occurs in your life. According
to the social security eligibility criteria, you must be 62 to receive your interests
in the retirement category. Also, you can
delay your interests and add more to it, which you can delay until the age of
70s. You can still work, and this will
maximize your social security benefits.
Citizenship
You will be surprised
to know that to collect the social security benefits; you do not need to be the
citizen of the U.S. All the workers who
are paying for the system are eligible to obtain the retirement benefits. The
only condition is that you must be living in the United States when you are
receiving SS benefits. If you are not a
U.S citizen, then there are other eligibility criteria that you will have to
follow to be eligible as a non-American citizen.
Work credits
Work credits are very important, and if you fail to fulfill
this requirement, then you will not be eligible to apply for the SS benefits. It
would help if you covered your job and must have 35 years of working
experiencing and paying for social security taxes every month. You must receive
at least 40 work credits in your lifetime. You can earn four credits every year,
and you must have ten years of working experience to be eligible for applying
for social security benefits.
These are the three foremost essential factors that you must
look into and pass to be eligible for the social security perks. It is
suggested that you grab some crucial information regarding the eligibility and
documents required to apply for social security if you do not belong to any highlighted
category.
Homemakers and social security
No matter you are
applying for the retirement benefits or spouse benefits, you will have to
follow the eligibility as mentioned above criteria. Still, for homemakers,
things are going to be different. Homemakers might get qualified for social
security benefits, and this will depend upon the earnings of your partner.
There is a spousal benefit category under which partners can collect the retirement
benefits if their spouse is eligible for the higher income as compared to their
own. Also, they can receive benefits if
they are married for more than 10 years and are currently not married.
Also, homemakers can apply for the survivor’s benefits like
widowers and widows of the deceased at the age of 60 and 50 if the individual
is disabled. Children of the deceased
who are under 18 are studying in high school are also qualified to receive the
social security benefits on behalf of the deceased. This is hugely beneficial for families with
young children and no income.
Full-time homemakers
Full-time workers who have never worked or have worked for
less than ten years are not qualified for the social security benefits on their
own. They are only eligible based on the earnings of their spouse. Both men and women can receive social security
benefits if they follow all the set criteria.
If you are a home worker and have never worked before, then look for the
social security administration programs and advantages which you will find on
the official website of social security.
Social security benefits are essential for many families in
the united states as this is the only income for retirees, survivors of the deceased and disable, so it
is vital that they know their rights,
how to maximize their benefits and be sure whether or not they are
eligible for social security benefits.
Conclusion
Social security takes care of all but not to be misused; it
is essential to follow the eligibility criteria. If you are falsely taking
benefits of social security when caught, you will have to pay back all the money,
and you will also be punished for this illegal offense. Make sure that you have a valid excuse to receive
funds so that you may not stay away from the benefit of Social Security at all.
