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Social security benefits include monthly retirement, survivor and disability benefits. They don't include supplemental security income (SSI) payments, which aren't taxable. The net amount of social security benefits that you receive from the Social Security Administration is reported in Box 5 of Form SSA-1099, Social Security Benefit Statement, and you report that amount on line 6a of Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return or Form 1040-SR, U.S. Tax Return for Seniors. The taxable portion of the benefits that's included in your income and used to calculate your income tax liability depends on the total amount of your income and benefits for the taxable year. You report the taxable portion of your social security benefits on line 6b of Form 1040 or Form 1040-SR. Your benefits may be taxable if the total of (1) one-half of your benefits, plus (2) all of your other income, including tax-exempt interest, is greater than the base amount for your filing status. The base amount for your filing status is:
If you're married and file a joint return, you and your spouse must combine your incomes and social security benefits when figuring the taxable portion of your benefits. Even if your spouse didn't receive any benefits, you must add your spouse's income to yours when figuring on a joint return if any of your benefits are taxable. Generally, you can figure the taxable amount of the benefits in Are My Social Security or Railroad Retirement Tier I Benefits Taxable?, on a worksheet in the Instructions for Form 1040 (and Form 1040-SR) or in Publication 915, Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits. However, if you made contributions to a traditional Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) for 2021 and you or your spouse were covered by a retirement plan at work or through self-employment, use the worksheets in Publication 590-A, Contributions to Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs), to see if any of your social security benefits are taxable and to figure your IRA deduction.
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Find answers to common questions about Social Security, including retirement and disability benefits, how to get, replace, or correct your Social Security card, and more.
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Get, Replace, or Correct a Social Security CardThe Social Security Administration issues Social Security cards to:
See how you can get a Social Security card corrected or replaced. Find out how to get one for your new baby. What is a Social Security Card?Your Social Security card is an important piece of identification. You'll need one to get a job, collect Social Security, or receive other government benefits. When you apply for a Social Security number (SSN), the Social Security Administration (SSA) will assign you a nine-digit number. This is the same number that is printed on the Social Security card that SSA will issue you. If you change your name, you will need to get a corrected card. How To Get a Social Security Card
Getting a Social Security Number for a New BabyThe easiest way to get a Social Security number for your child is at the hospital after they are born when you apply for your child’s birth certificate. If you wait to apply for a number at a Social Security office, there may be delays while SSA verifies your child’s birth certificate. Your child will need their own Social Security number so you can:
Prevent Identity TheftKeep your Social Security card in a safe place to protect yourself from identity theft. Social Security and How It WorksSocial Security provides you with a source of income when you retire or if you can’t work due to a disability. It can also support your legal dependents (spouse, children, or parents) with benefits in the event of your death. What’s Social Security?Social Security is a program run by the federal government. The program works by using taxes paid into a trust fund to provide benefits to people who are eligible. You’ll need a Social Security number when you apply for a job. Find how to apply for a Social Security number or to replace your Social Security card. How do benefits work, and how can I qualify?While you work, you pay Social Security taxes. This tax money goes into a trust fund that pays benefits to:
Each year you work, you’ll get credits to help you become eligible for benefits when it’s time for you to retire. Find all the benefits Social Security Administration (SSA) offers. There are four main types of benefits that the SSA offers:
How to Open a “my Social Security” accountIf you receive or will receive Social Security benefits, you may want to open a "my Social Security" account. This online account is a service from the SSA that allows you to keep track of and manage your SSA benefits. You can also make changes to your Social Security record. How to Find More HelpIf you have specific questions about your Social Security benefits, you can:
Social Security Retirement Benefits PlannerHow much Social Security income you’ll receive depends on:
You can use Social Security’s retirement benefits planner to:
SSA Benefits for U.S. Citizens OverseasLearn how to collect Social Security benefits while you're overseas. Get SSA Benefits While Living AbroadU.S. citizens can travel to or live in most, but not all, foreign countries and still receive their Social Security benefits. You can find out if you can receive benefits overseas by using the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) payment verification tool. Once you access the tool, pick the country you're visiting or living in from the drop-down menu options. Earn SSA Work Credits in Some CountriesYou may not have enough credits from your work in the United States to qualify for retirement benefits. But, you may be able to count your work credits from another country. The SSA has agreements with 24 countries. If you earned credits in one of those countries, they can help you qualify for U.S. benefits. Government Checks and PaymentsFind out how to report your lost, missing, stolen, or expired government check. And learn why you received a check or direct deposit payment and how to make a payment to the government. Lost or Stolen Federal PaymentsReport your lost, missing, or stolen federal check to the agency that issued the payment. It's usually one of these paying agencies. If your documentation indicates it's a different agency, and you need its contact information, look in the A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies. To get an update on your claim, contact the Treasury Department Philadelphia Financial Center at 1-855-868-0151, option 1. If You're Not Sure Why You Received a PaymentIf you receive a check or direct deposit payment from the Treasury Department and do not know what it’s for, contact the regional financial center (RFC) that issued it. Only the agency that authorized the payment can explain why you received it. If you received a check, look for the RFC’s city and state at the top center. Then contact that RFC to find out which federal agency authorized the payment. It will be one of these:
If you received payment by electronic funds transfer (EFT), or direct deposit, follow the directions under Find Information About a Payment. Use the Treasury Check Verification System to verify that the check is legitimate and issued by the government. Make Payments to the Federal GovernmentLearn how to use Pay.gov to make secure, electronic payments to government agencies from your checking or savings account. You can use the online service for VA medical care copayments, U.S. Coast Guard merchant mariner fee payments, and more. If you need help, contact Pay.gov customer service.
Report the Death of a Social Security or Medicare BeneficiaryYou must report the death of a family member receiving Social Security or Medicare benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) processes death reports for both. Find out how you can report a death and how to cancel benefit payments. In addition to canceling SSA and Medicare benefits, find out what other benefits and accounts you should cancel. How to Report a Death to Social SecurityTo report a death:
How to Stop Social Security Check PaymentsThe SSA can not pay benefits for the month of a recipient’s death. That means if the person died in July, the check received in August (which is payment for July) must be returned. Find out how to return a check to the SSA. If the payment is by direct deposit, notify the financial institution as soon as possible so it can return any payments received after death. For more about the requirement to return benefits for the month of a beneficiary’s death, see the top of page 11 of this SSA publication. Family members may be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits when a person getting benefits dies. Visit the SSA's Survivors Benefits page to learn more. Set Up Direct Deposit for Your Federal BenefitsLearn how to set up direct deposit to receive your federal benefits. How to Receive Federal BenefitsTo begin receiving your federal benefits, like Social Security or veterans benefits, you must sign up for electronic payments with direct deposit. If You Have a Bank or Credit Union Account:
If You Don't have a Bank or Credit Union Account:
Make Changes to an Existing Direct Deposit Account:On Go Direct's FAQ page, learn how to make changes to an existing direct deposit account. You also may contact the federal agency that pays your benefit for help with your enrollment. Social Security Benefits for People with DisabilitiesIf you have a disability, Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income may help financially. To find out if you’re eligible for either program, use the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool. Definition of DisabilityTo qualify for either program, you must meet SSA’s definition of disability:
Social Security uses a step-by-step process to decide if you have a disability. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is for people who have become disabled after earning enough Social Security work credits within a certain time. Your spouse or former spouse and your children may be eligible for benefits when you start getting SSDI. How to Apply for SSDIYou can apply for SSDI benefits online, by phone, or in person.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with disabilities or who are 65 or older with little to no income and resources. SSI is not Social Security. Although the names sound similar and the Social Security Administration runs the program, it does not fund SSI. How to Apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Adults can apply for SSI by phone, in person at a local Social Security office, or in some cases online. To apply for SSI for a child, you can start the process online but will need to complete it either in person or by phone.
Working While Receiving SSDI or SSIWhether you receive SSDI or SSI, you may be able to work without it impacting your benefits if you earn less than a certain amount. You can find all the details in the booklet Working While Disabled: How We Can Help. Last Updated: June 17, 2022 Top |