By Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist For nearly 90 years, Social Security has provided income protection to millions of retirees, people with disabilities, their dependents, and families who’ve lost a family member who worked and paid Social Security taxes before they died. In addition to paying benefits, we issue millions of Social Security numbers each year, maintain wage records to make sure workers … Continue reading Celebrating 89 Years of Social Security

By Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Questions and Answers Question:  Do we have to withhold Social Security taxes from our housekeeper’s earnings? Answer: It depends on how much you’re paying the housekeeper. If you pay a housekeeper or other household worker $2,700 or more in cash wages throughout the year, you must deduct Social Security and Medicare taxes. This holds true for a … Continue reading Social Security Q&A Part 50

By Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist The terms and acronyms people use when they talk about Social Security can be a little confusing. Knowing where to find easy-to-understand definitions can be very helpful. We’re here to provide resources to help you understand much of what you need to know about Social Security and our terminology.  If there’s a technical term or acronym that you don’t know or understand, you … Continue reading Social Security in plain language

By Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist A well-informed instructor can have a powerful influence on their students. That’s why we created the Educator Toolkit. This toolkit is easy to use and provides shareable online resources that teachers can use to engage students and educate them about Social Security.  The Educator Toolkit includes: • Lesson plans with objectives. • Infographics and handouts for each lesson plan. • Links to Social Security web … Continue reading Social Security supports teachers

By Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security works with ourOffice of the Inspector General (OIG) to protect you from scams that use Social Security as bait. Section 1140 of the Social Security Act allows OIG to impose severe penalties against anyone who engages in misleading Social Security-related advertising or imposter communications.   OIG may impose a penalty against anyone who: • Mails misleading solicitations that appear to be … Continue reading How we protect you from misleading advertising and communications

By Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Elder abuse is the intentional mistreatment or harming of an adult over age 60. This abuse can take many forms – physical, emotional, sexual, and financial exploitation, as well as neglect. In the United States, an estimated 1 in 10 adults over the age of 60 experience some form of abuse each year. That number is likely much higher because elder abuse is often underreported – … Continue reading Combating Elder Abuse

By Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Questions and Answers Question: What is the estimated average Social Security payment that a person receives each month? Answer: The estimated average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker in 2024 is $1,907.00. The average monthly Social Security benefit for a worker with a disability in 2024 is $1,537.00. Question: I am receiving Social Security retirement … Continue reading Social Security Q&A Part 49

By Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security touches the lives of nearly every American. Millions count on us — retirees, people no longer able to work due to disability, dependents, and survivors. As a member of the Rural Partners Network, we want to continue reaching out to rural communities. We make it easy for you to access our programs and services. Our website offers a … Continue reading Social Security supports rural communities

By Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security helps you secure today and tomorrow with financial benefits, information, and tools that support you through life’s journey.  If you don’t have enough Social Security credits to get benefits on your own record, you may be able to receive benefits as a spouse. Your spouse must be receiving benefits for you to get benefits on their … Continue reading Eligibility for Social Security spouse’s benefits

By Hillary Hatch, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist You may know someone who gets a monthly Social Security benefit or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment and who also needs help managing their money. We can appoint a person or an organization to act as a “representative payee” responsible for receiving and managing a person’s Social Security benefits or SSI payments. When we assign a representative … Continue reading Understanding the need for a representative payee