social security benefits

Social Security benefits

Monthly government payments to retired workers or their families who have paid Social Security taxes for a total of 40 quarters or 10 years.

Social Security Benefits

In the United States, a social program providing, among other things, disability insurance, the national pension, unemployment insurance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Supplemental Security Income. In common parlance, however, Social Security benefits refer to the monthly check received by pensioners starting generally after retirement. All U.S. citizens who have paid the Social Security tax for a certain number of years are eligible for Social Security benefits at age 65 (or 62 for reduced benefits). Widows (or widowers) are also eligible for benefits even if they were never employed, so long as their deceased spouses paid into the system.

social security benefits

benefits provided by the government as a means of assisting low-income members of society such as the unemployed (the JOBSEEKERS ALLOWANCE), the retired (basic old age PENSIONS), the sick (sick pay and free medical treatment), the disabled, single-parent families etc. See DEPARTMENT OF WORK AND PENSIONS.

social security benefits

any benefits provided, on social grounds, to low-income members of society, such as the unemployed, retired persons, the disabled, single-parent families, etc. Social security benefits can take the form of money payments (for example, the JOBSEEKERS ALLOWANCE, pensions, etc.) or payments in kind (for example, clothing coupons, food stamps, etc.). Some countries apply a MEANS TEST to determine eligibility for benefits. In the UK social security benefits are paid by the DEPARTMENT FOR WORK AND PENSIONS.

In certain cases, where the scale of benefit used to determine benefit entitlement overlaps with the PROGRESSIVE TAXATION system, this can create disincentive to seek employment (see UNEMPLOYMENT). See POVERTY TRAP, NEGATIVE INCOME TAX, SUPPLY-SIDE ECONOMICS.