Merits Attached to Social Security benefits

T he indispensability of social security cannot escape mention at the present age and time that is characterized by all manner of uncertainties from every sphere of life. No matter how you look at it, the benefits that accrue from social security outweigh the costs of being a member in a social fund unit. The benefits touch on a wide range of eventualities, some of which include retirement, a case of an accident leading to one being disabled and upon ones death. In the event of death, the family members of the deceased should take it as their responsibility to notify the social security within the shortest time possible. Depending on the social earnings of the deceased, some of the family members stand to benefit. The following benefits may be available: A payment of $255 can be effected on a one-time basis in favor of the surviving spouse on the condition that the two have been staying together or if separated, there is a contractual agreement that the surviving spouse should receive some social security benefits on the records of the deceased. Some family members may also be entitled to receive benefits on a monthly basis; these include: -A widower or widow aged 60 years and above. -A widower or widow of any age taking care of the deceased’s child below the age of 16. -A child of the deceased below the age of 18 and unmarried given that he or she is still a student in a secondary or tertiary school. -A child of the deceased living with a disability that started before he or she attained age 22. -Parents who have already attained age 62 on the condition that they have been depending on the deceased for at least 50% of their support. -Under special circumstances, a grandchild, stepchild, a surviving divorced spouse or a step grandchild may be eligible for benefits. Another important benefit is disability benefit where the family members can receive a total of up to 160 percent of your record. On a more precise note, each member of the family is entitled to benefits of up to 50% of your disability account per month. Still on the disability benefits, it means that in the unfortunate incident that you are disabled before your retirement age and you meet all the work requirements and at the same time you are a member of a social security program, then you stand to benefits equivalent to what you would have received upon retirement.