Social Security: Understanding the Benefits
Saturday June 06, 2026 - Jessica Gervais
Megan Forristall is a Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration and has been with the agency for more than 21 years. Forristall shares a comprehensive overview of Social Security benefits and online services, plus provides the necessary information to plan for retirement and Medicare.
What is Social Security?
Social Security (SS) is a federal government program that provides financial protection to families and individuals. There are various types of benefits that people can receive from Social Security, such as:
Retirement- monthly payments based on lifetime earnings for individuals 62 and older or who have paid SS taxes for at least 10 years.
Disability- monthly payments for individuals with a disability or blindness who have a certain length of work history.
Survivor- monthly payments to family members of someone who worked and paid SS taxes before they passed.
Family- monthly payments to certain family members of someone entitled to disability or retirement benefits.
Supplemental Security Income- monthly payments to individuals with little or no income or resources.
Medicare- health insurance for those 65 and older or who receive disability benefits.
You can check your eligibility for various benefits through the Social Security Administration website.
Helpful Resources
Check out the resources below to learn more about Social Security benefits.
Prepare for Social Security Benefits | Social Security Administration
About Social Security | Social Security Administration
10 Things You Need to Know About Social Security | AARP
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