Here’s How Some People Collect Social Security Even If They Never Worked
Social Security is not automatic. As an article by Marca explains, to receive monthly benefits, you need to meet certain work and contribution requirements. In a nutshell, to be eligible for retirement benefits, workers need to have contributed through payroll taxes for at least 10 years (these years do not need to be consecutive) to earn at least 40 Social Security credits.
Because Social Security is based on earned benefits, people are supposed to pay into the system to receive something back. However, as the article points out, there are a few instances when that is not the case.
Certain family members can receive benefits without having worked themselves based on the work record of a qualifying contributor. For example, a nonworking spouse may be entitled to up to 50% of their partner’s benefit at full retirement age. Benefits also extend to a divorced spouse if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, and they did not remarry.
Social Security also pays survivor benefits to widows, widowers, children, and sometimes even dependent parents.
The Seniors Trust is committed to improving the financial well-being of older Americans through the passage of the Social Security Expansion Act. It will give retirees an immediate benefits increase of about $200 a month, a fair annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), increased minimum benefits, and ensure the long-term solvency of the Social Security program.
