Social Security Benefits

Social Security benefits

Monthly government payments to retired workers or their families who have paid Social Security taxes for a total of 40 quarters or 10 years.

---

Social Security Benefits

In the United States, a social program providing, among other things, disability insurance, the national pension, unemployment insurance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Supplemental Security Income. In common parlance, however, Social Security benefits refer to the monthly check received by pensioners starting generally after retirement. All U.S. citizens who have paid the Social Security tax for a certain number of years are eligible for Social Security benefits at age 65 (or 62 for reduced benefits). Widows (or widowers) are also eligible for benefits even if they were never employed, so long as their deceased spouses paid into the system.