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Social security is a social insurance and benefits program designed for people with specific social needs, such as low income or unemployment, old age, disability, etc.

The social security service issues the “SS Card” and the “SSN” (Social Security Number). Like the driver's license number, the social security number is the other most common form of numerical identification used by American citizens; it is comparable to a UK National Insurance Number. This system allows people to deposit money from their earnings on a long-term basis, regardless of how many times they change jobs.

The social security system in the USA is considered by some to be in a state of impending crisis mainly due to several factors. First, the population is unevenly distributed by age, and so during the next 20 years there will be more people eligible to claim money from SS than there will be people paying into it. Inflation is another reason, and the necessity of changing SS benefits to being just one part of a retirement financial plan instead of a mainstay. Those on non-immigrant visas have no claim to social security benefits and may need to save up towards their retirement in ways that offset their losses to social security earnings. It will be a point of political and social interest to see how America handles this crisis.

Benefits (unemployed, retired, disabled, etc.)

In order to have access to any unemployment benefits in the USA, you must hold one job for a minimum time period, usually at least a year, and you must have lost the job through no fault of your own. To claim these benefits you will need to go to the state agency that you reside in. Normally, unemployment benefit payments consist of a percentage of the wages you earned in the job you held (usually 40-50%) and will expire after a time.

Full retirement age is 65 for those born in 1937 or earlier, but it is increasing steadily; persons born in 1960 or later will not be eligible for full retirement benefits until age 67. As of 2009, the average monthly Social Security benefit is $1,153.00. For most Americans, Social Security is simply a supplement to other retirement benefits.

A person with certain disabilities and his/her family members are entitled to benefits under the Social Security disability insurance program. An adult child with a disability that started before age 22 may also qualify for benefits on the parents' earnings. A person who is eligible for disability benefits should apply as soon as he/she becomes disabled.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly income support to people who are age 65 or older, blind or disabled and have low income and limited resources.

Eligibility/entitlement

Social security benefits are only available to Permanent Residents and American citizens.

For information on eligibility, how to apply for benefits (and how to calculate your entitled benefits), and frequently asked questions, visit the official web site of the US Social Security Administration at www.ssa.gov.

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Expat Focus would like to acknowledge the kind help given by Kirstie Wilson of British Business Connection in compiling this guide.

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