Legal Definitions - Social Security Administration

The Social Security Administration (SSA) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government. Its primary responsibility is to manage and administer several vital social insurance programs that provide financial security to millions of Americans. These programs include:

• Old-Age and Retirement Benefits: Providing monthly payments to eligible individuals who have reached retirement age and contributed to the system throughout their working lives.
• Survivors' Benefits: Offering financial support to the spouses, children, or parents of a deceased worker who was covered by Social Security.
• Disability Benefits: Delivering assistance to individuals who are unable to work due to a severe medical condition that is expected to last a year or more, or result in death.

The SSA also oversees the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which provides financial aid to low-income individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled, regardless of their work history. The agency determines eligibility for these programs, processes applications, and distributes payments to beneficiaries.

Examples of the Social Security Administration in Action:

• Example 1: Retirement Planning
  Sarah, a 62-year-old teacher, is considering retiring next year. She wants to know how much her monthly Social Security retirement benefit will be and the best time to start receiving payments. Sarah would contact the Social Security Administration. The SSA is the agency that maintains her earnings record, calculates her potential benefits based on her contributions over her career, and processes her application when she decides to retire. This illustrates the SSA's role in administering retirement programs.

• Example 2: Disability Claim
  Mark, a construction worker, suffers a severe back injury that permanently prevents him from performing his job or any other substantial gainful activity. He needs financial assistance to cover his living expenses. Mark would apply to the Social Security Administration for disability benefits. The SSA is responsible for evaluating his medical condition, determining if he meets the criteria for disability under federal law, and, if approved, issuing monthly payments to support him. This demonstrates the SSA's function in managing disability insurance programs.

• Example 3: Survivors' Support
  After her husband, David, unexpectedly passed away, Maria was left to raise their two young children. David had been the primary wage earner for their family. Maria would contact the Social Security Administration to inquire about survivors' benefits for herself and her children. Since David contributed to Social Security during his working life, the SSA would determine if Maria and her children are eligible for monthly payments to help replace a portion of David's lost income, showcasing the agency's role in providing support to families of deceased workers.