The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers various benefit programs. These include retirement, disability, and need-based assistance. Each program has specific eligibility requirements, and amounts vary based on factors such as age and work history, among others, such as need.
The SSA’s largest program is retirement benefits, which are paid to workers who have accumulated sufficient work credits during their working lives. Retirement payments can be claimed as early as age 62, but at that age, the amounts retirees receive can be reduced by up to 30%, resulting in a permanent lifetime reduction.
The maximum amount at age 62 is $2,831 per month. That seems low, right? Imagine if you wait until age 66, which is full retirement age (FRA) for most beneficiaries—for others, it’s 67, depending on the year of birth—the amount rises to $4,018.
Now, the SSA allows people to delay retirement by accumulating work credits until age 70, and at that age, those who meet the requirements can claim up to $5,108 in 2025. All of these amounts depend on the number of work credits and the applicant’s income during their active working years.
SSDI and SSI Benefits for Disabled Workers and Low-Income Individuals
For those with disabilities that prevent them from working and who have a recent work history, there is the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefit. To qualify, the applicant must have worked and contributed sufficiently to the Social Security system. The benefit amount depends on the individual’s work history and income, not their current income level.
The maximum payment is $4,018 per month, equivalent to the full retirement benefit, although the average is around $1,580 in 2025. For the surviving family members of the primary beneficiary, payments also continue for life in the event of the primary beneficiary’s death.
Now, if a low-income person needs financial support (elderly, blind, or disabled individuals who haven’t had enough work-related credits), there’s the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
SSI payments are intended to help the beneficiary (or the beneficiary partner, if applicable) cover basic needs such as housing, clothing, and food. In 2025, the maximum federal payment is $967 per month for an individual and $1,450 for a couple, although some states provide additional amounts.
Any additional income or outside support may reduce the benefit, as it is designed to more strongly support those with fewer resources.
Social Security Benefits for Surviving Family Members
Most SSA benefits can be transferred to surviving family members who were financially dependent on the primary beneficiary after the primary beneficiary’s death. The payments work as follows:
- Widows/Widowers: Up to $4,018 per month upon reaching their own full retirement age.
- Children under 18 years of age (or disabled): 75% of the worker’s base benefit.
- One-time death payment: $255.
- Paid to dependents of retirees or SSDI beneficiaries:
- Spouses: Up to 50% of the primary benefit ($2,009 maximum).
- Unmarried children under 18 years of age (or disabled): 50% of the primary benefit.
- Maximum family limit: Between 150% and 188% of the primary benefit.
Where to apply for SSA payments?
You can apply for Social Security benefits (retirement, SSDI, or SSI) through the Social Security Administration’s official website at www.ssa.gov, available 24 hours a day.
You can also apply by phone by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213, or visit a local Social Security office in person with an appointment. Keep in mind that for SSI benefits, in some specific cases, the SSA requires a telephone or even in-person interview.
Have documents such as your Social Security number, birth certificate, employment history, and medical information (for SSDI or SSI) ready. The process varies depending on the type of benefit, but it’s always free and confidential.