SOCIAL SECURITY Q&A: Can a person receive Social Security benefits without paying into program?

• Social Security Q and A

Social Security Q and A

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Q. Can a person receive Social Security benefits without paying into program?

A. The short, misleading, answer is yes, but this is incomplete because all Social Security benefits are based on the work record of someone. In Social Security jargon, this person is the number holder or wage earner. Whether discussing retirement, survivors or disability programs, benefits through the number holder’s record are possible only if the number holder is insured, meaning he or she has enough work for the benefit involved. For one example, you are the number holder if you apply for Social Security disability benefits. If you are insured, the application goes for a medical decision. However, if you are not insured, the process stops without a medical decision. Use survivors benefits for a second example. When a parent of young children dies, the children can receive survivors benefits if the deceased parent, the number holder in this example, was insured. Although the children did not pay into Social Security, benefits are possible if the parent did. No benefits would be payable to the children if the parent was not insured. Without exception, all Social Security benefits are based on someone’s work record.

Did You Know?

Social Security wants people to have access to accurate information regardless of their ability to communicate in English. From Arabic to Farsi and Polish to Vietnamese, you can find a selection of Social Security publications in 15 different languages online. Check out the Social Security website, www.socialsecurity.gov/multilanguage, for more information.

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