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Social Security and SSI
Last updated: 23 September 2026
Social Security can provide retirement, disability, spouse, family, and survivor benefits. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is different: it is a needs-based payment for people who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have very limited income and resources. This guide explains key 2026 rules and shows where to start.
Bottom Line: Start with your own Social Security record. Check your benefit estimate, payment amount, earnings record, Medicare deduction, and contact information through a my Social Security account. If you are deciding when to claim, compare age 62, your full retirement age, and age 70 before filing. If your income and resources are very low, check SSI separately.
Start Here
- Already receiving benefits? Review your payment, Medicare deduction, direct deposit, address, and notices. Our manage your benefits guide covers common account tasks.
- Not receiving retirement yet? Compare your estimated monthly amounts before choosing a start date. Our Social Security basics guide explains the claiming decision.
- Need personal help? Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778. SSA confirms these hours on its phone contact page.
Quick Help by Situation
| Your situation | Best first step | Important point |
|---|---|---|
| Deciding when to retire | Compare your age-62, full-retirement-age, and age-70 estimates. | Starting early usually causes a permanent monthly reduction. |
| Spouse or ex-spouse died | Call SSA and ask about survivor benefits. | Survivor rules differ from ordinary spouse benefits. |
| Income and savings are very low | Screen for SSI and other needs-based help. | SSI has income and resource rules. |
| Working while receiving retirement | Check the 2026 earnings test before increasing work hours. | The test ends beginning with the month you reach full retirement age. |
| Received a denial or overpayment notice | Read the notice and act before the appeal deadline. | Do not ignore a notice because you think SSA made a mistake. |
What Has Changed
- The 2026 Trustees Report is now available. It projects the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance trust fund will be able to pay full scheduled benefits through the fourth quarter of 2032. If Congress made no changes, ongoing income would cover about 78% of scheduled OASI benefits at depletion. The hypothetical combined Social Security funds would reach depletion in the third quarter of 2034 with about 83% payable. See the 2026 Trustees summary.
- SSI food support was clarified. SSA no longer counts food provided by other people as in-kind support and maintenance. That change took effect September 30, 2024. Shelter help can still reduce SSI in some situations. This update removes older wording that incorrectly treated free food itself as reducing SSI.
- The latest monthly statistics are newer. SSA’s July 2026 snapshot shows about 54.8 million retired workers receiving an average of $2,085.98 per month. An average is not a promise of what any one person will receive.
How Social Security Works
Social Security retirement, disability, family, and survivor benefits are insurance benefits tied to a worker’s covered earnings record. Workers and employers pay Social Security payroll tax on covered earnings. SSI is separate and is funded from general federal revenues.
For retirement benefits, most people need 40 work credits. In 2026, one credit is earned for each $1,890 in covered earnings, up to four credits for the year. The amount of your retirement benefit is based mainly on your earnings history and the age when you start benefits. SSA’s 2026 COLA fact sheet lists the year’s main figures.
Key 2026 Social Security Numbers
| Item | 2026 figure | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living adjustment | 2.8% | Social Security and federal SSI payment standards increased for 2026. |
| Maximum taxable earnings | $184,500 | Social Security payroll tax applies to covered earnings up to this amount. |
| Earnings test, under FRA all year | $24,480 | SSA withholds $1 in benefits for every $2 of wages or net self-employment above the limit. |
| Earnings test, FRA year | $65,160 | Before the FRA month, SSA withholds $1 for every $3 above this limit. |
| Federal SSI maximum | $994 individual; $1,491 couple | These are maximum federal amounts before countable income and living-arrangement adjustments. |
| SSI resource limit | $2,000 individual; $3,000 couple | Some resources do not count, so do not self-deny without checking the rules. |
These figures can change each year. Do not use a 2026 limit for a later year without checking SSA again.
Social Security Fairness Act
The Social Security Fairness Act repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which had reduced benefits for some people with pensions from work not covered by Social Security. SSA says it completed more than 3.1 million related payments totaling about $17 billion by July 7, 2025. Only people actually affected by WEP or GPO may see a change. Check the official Fairness Act update.
Claiming Retirement: Age 62, Full Retirement Age, or 70
You can usually start retirement benefits at age 62. Starting before full retirement age permanently reduces the monthly amount. Full retirement age depends on birth year and reaches 67 for people born in 1960 or later. SSA’s early retirement chart shows the reduction by birth year. For someone born in 1960 or later, starting at 62 can reduce the worker’s retirement benefit by about 30% compared with waiting to full retirement age.
If you wait beyond full retirement age, delayed retirement credits can raise your benefit until age 70. The increase stops at 70. Review SSA’s delayed retirement rules and compare your own estimates instead of following a one-size-fits-all claiming age. Our early retirement penalty guide gives more examples.
| Choice | Main effect | Check before choosing |
|---|---|---|
| Start at 62 | Lower monthly retirement benefit for life. | Health, cash needs, work plans, survivor impact, and other income. |
| Start at FRA | Receives the full retirement-age amount before other deductions. | Your exact FRA and whether you are still working. |
| Delay after FRA | Monthly retirement benefit grows until age 70. | Medicare enrollment, life expectancy, household needs, and survivor planning. |
Working while receiving retirement
You can work while receiving Social Security. If you are younger than full retirement age for all of 2026, the earnings limit is $24,480. SSA generally withholds $1 for every $2 of earnings above that amount. In the year you reach full retirement age, the limit is $65,160 for earnings before the month you reach FRA, and SSA generally withholds $1 for every $3 above the limit. Beginning with the FRA month, the retirement earnings test no longer applies. SSA explains the details on its working while receiving benefits page.
For this test, SSA counts wages and net self-employment income, not pensions, annuities, investment income, interest, or most other government benefits.
Spouse, Divorced Spouse, and Survivor Benefits
A spouse may qualify for a family benefit worth up to half of the worker’s full-retirement-age amount. If you qualify for your own retirement benefit and a family benefit, SSA does not simply add two full benefits together. It pays your own benefit first and then any additional family amount needed to bring you to the higher eligible amount. See SSA’s family benefit amounts.
An ex-spouse may qualify in some cases after a marriage of at least 10 years. Age, marital status, and whether the worker is entitled or eligible can matter. Our spouse and survivor guide explains the main paths.
Survivor benefits use different rules. A surviving spouse may qualify as early as age 60, or age 50 with a qualifying disability. The amount can range from 71.5% up to 100% of the deceased worker’s benefit, depending on the survivor’s age and other rules. Remarriage before age 60 can affect eligibility, while remarriage at 60 or later generally does not bar survivor benefits. Review SSA’s survivor eligibility rules.
Helpful Tip: Survivor benefits are not filed the same way as ordinary retirement benefits. If a spouse or ex-spouse dies, call SSA and ask which survivor options are available before choosing a benefit start date.
SSI for Seniors With Very Low Income
SSI is not the same as Social Security retirement. A person age 65 or older can qualify for SSI without proving disability if the person meets the program’s income, resource, citizenship or qualifying noncitizen, and living-arrangement rules. In 2026, the federal maximum is $994 per month for an eligible individual and $1,491 for an eligible couple. Some states add a supplement. SSA lists the federal amounts on its SSI payment standards.
The basic SSI resource limits remain $2,000 for one person and $3,000 for a couple. Not everything you own counts: the home you live in and one vehicle used for transportation are among the listed exclusions. Check SSA’s SSI resource rules before deciding you are ineligible. Our SSI guide for seniors explains income, resources, and reporting in more detail.
Important SSI rule: Since September 30, 2024, food that another person gives you does not reduce SSI as in-kind support and maintenance. Help with shelter costs can still reduce a payment in some living arrangements. Cash or a gift card given to pay for food can still be countable income. Review SSA’s SSI living rules and report changes honestly.
Medicare and Taxes
Medicare enrollment
If you are already receiving Social Security when you become eligible for Medicare, SSA generally enrolls you automatically in Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Exceptions can apply, including for some people living in Puerto Rico or outside the United States. If you are not yet receiving Social Security, do not assume Medicare will start by itself. SSA recommends signing up around your initial enrollment period; see its Medicare enrollment rules.
For 2026, the standard Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 per month and the annual Part B deductible is $283. Many beneficiaries have the Part B premium deducted from their Social Security payment. Higher-income beneficiaries can pay more. CMS lists the current 2026 Medicare costs. If income is limited, also review Medicare Savings Programs.
Federal income tax
Social Security retirement, disability, and survivor benefits can be federally taxable depending on filing status and combined income. SSI is not taxable. For many single filers, the base amount is $25,000; for married couples filing jointly, it is $32,000. At higher combined-income levels, up to 85% of Social Security benefits can be included in taxable income. That does not mean an 85% tax rate. The IRS explains the calculation in its Social Security tax rules. Our Social Security tax guide gives a plain-language overview.
A separate temporary federal deduction may help some taxpayers age 65 or older for tax years 2025 through 2028. The deduction is up to $6,000 per eligible person and phases out above modified adjusted gross income of $75,000 for single filers and $150,000 for joint filers. It does not erase the Social Security taxation rules. Check the IRS senior deduction details.
How to Apply and Manage Benefits
You can apply for retirement benefits up to four months before the month you want benefits to start. SSA allows online retirement applications and also accepts applications by phone or through a local office. See the official retirement application page and our application guide.
Information to gather
- Your Social Security number and basic identity information.
- Your birth information and recent work history.
- Bank routing and account details if you want direct deposit.
- Marriage, divorce, or death information when applying on another person’s record.
- Income, resources, rent or mortgage, and household information for SSI.
- Medical and work information for disability-related claims.
Keep your record current
After benefits start, report changes that SSA requires, keep your mailing address and direct deposit current, and save notices. If someone else must manage benefits for a person who cannot manage the money, Social Security may appoint a representative payee. A power of attorney alone does not automatically give someone authority to manage Social Security payments. See our representative payee guide.
If your Social Security card is lost, a replacement is usually free. Use SSA’s replacement card page; do not pay a private website for a form SSA provides without charge.
Denied, Delayed, or Facing an Overpayment
Do not ignore the notice. Social Security appeals generally must be requested within 60 days after you receive the decision. SSA usually assumes you received the notice five days after the date on it unless you can show you received it later. The notice explains the correct appeal level and deadline. Use SSA’s appeal a decision page.
If SSA says you were overpaid, first identify what SSA says caused the overpayment and the amount. Depending on the facts, you may be able to challenge whether the overpayment is correct, request a waiver, or ask for a repayment arrangement. Our overpayment notice help guide explains those choices.
If a deadline is close, contact SSA before it passes. Keep copies of notices, forms, upload confirmations, and the date and name of any representative you speak with.
If Social Security Is Not Enough for Basic Needs
Social Security may be your main income and still not cover rent, food, utilities, medicine, or transportation. Ask about SSI, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, energy assistance, senior meals, and local housing help. Eligibility for one program does not guarantee another.
Need help today? If you have no safe place to sleep, no food, or a utility shutoff or eviction emergency, do not wait for a Social Security claim to finish. Call 2-1-1 or use 211 local help. For aging services, meals, transportation, caregiver support, and local agencies, use the Eldercare Locator or call 1-800-677-1116.
Reality Checks and Common Mistakes
Reality Check: The 2026 Trustees projection does not mean Social Security becomes zero in 2032 or 2034. Under current law, payroll taxes and other income would continue. The report says the OASI trust fund would have enough ongoing income for about 78% of scheduled benefits at depletion, while the hypothetical combined funds would have about 83%. Congress can change taxes or benefits before then.
- Claiming at 62 without comparing: early claiming can permanently reduce retirement benefits.
- Delaying Social Security and forgetting Medicare: Medicare has separate enrollment rules and possible late penalties.
- Ignoring the earnings test: work can temporarily reduce checks before full retirement age.
- Assuming two benefits are simply added: spouse, survivor, and retirement benefits interact under SSA rules.
- Using the old SSI food rule: food itself no longer reduces SSI as in-kind support, but shelter help still can.
- Missing an appeal deadline: read every notice promptly.
- Trusting an unexpected caller: scammers may use real employee names, fake badges, or spoofed numbers. Review SSA’s Social Security scam alerts and call SSA directly if a message seems suspicious.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
Retirement claiming
“I am deciding when to start retirement benefits. Can you confirm my full retirement age, my estimated monthly amount at the dates I am considering, and whether my work this year would affect my payments?”
SSI screening
“I am 65 or older and have limited income and resources. I want to ask about SSI. What income, resources, and shelter help do I need to report, and what documents should I have ready?”
Survivor benefits
“My spouse or former spouse died. Can you check whether I may qualify for survivor benefits, what claiming ages apply, and whether I can switch between survivor and retirement benefits later?”
Appeal or overpayment
“I received a notice I do not understand. Please tell me the deadline, the type of appeal or request I need, and what I must submit now so I do not lose my rights.”
Resumen en Español
El Seguro Social puede pagar beneficios de jubilación, discapacidad, cónyuge y sobreviviente. SSI es diferente: es un programa para personas con ingresos y recursos muy limitados, incluyendo personas de 65 años o más.
En 2026, el ajuste por costo de vida es 2.8%. El máximo federal de SSI es $994 al mes para una persona y $1,491 para una pareja elegible. Los límites de recursos de SSI siguen siendo $2,000 para una persona y $3,000 para una pareja.
Si trabaja antes de la edad plena de jubilación, pueden aplicar límites de ingresos. Si recibe ayuda con comida, recuerde que desde el 30 de septiembre de 2024 la comida ya no reduce SSI como ayuda en especie; la ayuda con vivienda todavía puede afectar el pago.
Para ayuda personal, llame al Seguro Social al 1-800-772-1213. Si recibe una negación o una carta de sobrepago, no la ignore: los plazos de apelación pueden ser cortos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while receiving Social Security?
Yes. In 2026, if you are under full retirement age all year, the earnings limit is $24,480. In the year you reach full retirement age, the limit is $65,160 for earnings before the FRA month. Beginning with the month you reach full retirement age, the retirement earnings test no longer applies.
Is age 62 always the best time to claim?
No. Age 62 is the earliest retirement claiming age for most workers, but starting early permanently reduces the monthly benefit. The best date depends on your health, work, savings, household needs, survivor planning, and other income.
Does free food reduce SSI?
No. Since September 30, 2024, SSA no longer counts food provided by other people as in-kind support and maintenance. Help with shelter costs can still reduce SSI in some living arrangements, and cash or gift cards can be treated differently.
Can I get my full retirement benefit and a full spouse benefit?
Usually no. SSA generally pays your own retirement benefit first and then adds any extra family amount needed to reach the higher benefit for which you qualify. The full amounts are not simply added together.
Can Social Security be taxed?
Yes. Federal tax depends on filing status and combined income. Up to 85% of Social Security benefits can be included in taxable income at higher income levels. That does not mean an 85% tax rate. SSI is not taxable.
What if Social Security denies my claim?
Read the notice right away. Appeals generally must be requested within 60 days after you receive the decision, and SSA usually assumes you received the notice five days after its date. Follow the appeal instructions in your notice.
Is Social Security running out of money?
No current projection says benefits become zero. The 2026 Trustees Report projects the OASI trust fund can pay full scheduled benefits through the fourth quarter of 2032, with about 78% payable from ongoing income at depletion if Congress makes no changes. The hypothetical combined funds are projected to reach depletion in the third quarter of 2034 with about 83% payable.
About This Guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
Last updated: 23 September 2026 · Next review: 23 January 2027
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