Social Security

For more than 80 years, Social Security has helped secure today and tomorrow for millions of Hispanic families. Today, we provide financial protection for nearly 64 million individuals and families; including veterans, the chronically ill, widows, widowers, children of deceased parents, retires and people with disabilities. With financial benefits, tools and information, we help support you and your family throughout life’s journey.

We are 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 that 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 are with you when you start work

When you start a new job, 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 survivor’s 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 qualify for retirement benefits.

Verify your earnings record by creating a my Social Security account to check your Social Security Statement.

We are there for your wedding

Marriage is the start of a new chapter in your life. For some, a part of that new life is 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’s no charge for a Social Security card.

We’re there to help if disability strikes

One in four of today’s 20-year-olds will become disabled before they retire. Disability benefits provide modest coverage for severely disabled workers and their dependents, including our wounded warriors. In 2015, over 8 million workers received disability benefits and over 1.5 million children received benefits on their parents' records. 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 survivor’s 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 are with those who need a helping hand...

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program 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.

We wouldn’t miss your retirement party

When most people think of Social Security, they think of retirement benefits — with good reason. A secure, comfortable retirement is every worker's dream. And because we're living longer, healthier lives now, we can expect to spend more time in retirement than our parents and "abuelos" did.

With a my Social Security account, you can estimate your future benefits at different ages when you may want to start receiving benefits.