Social Security is intended to serve as replacement income in the event of (a) retirement (b) injury/disability or (c) death. See who else in your family is eligible for your benefits, and get a grasp on the basic requirements to begin collecting.
The survivors and dependents of a retired or disabled worker
An insured worker under 65 who is disabled
A one-time lump sum payment to the survivors/dependents upon
the death of an insured worker
Social Security is intended to serve as replacement income in the
event of (a) retirement (b) injury/disability or (c) death. Though
Social Security does not provide you with as much income as you earned
while you were working, it is a significant amount. Service members
should be just as knowledgeable as civilian workers - the same Social
Security regulations and benefits apply to all.
Keep abreast of changes in social security law. See http://www.ssa.gov
for benefit details, contact information, and answers to many of your
questions.
Two Important Points:
Age 62 is the earliest you can collect Social Security retirement
benefits.
The age at which you can receive full retirement benefits is
rising.