How To Get Social Security Before 62?

Kent McDIll
February 4, 2024
How To Earn Social Security Before 62

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Today in this blog, you will learn how to get social security before 62.

In addition, the Social Security program in the United States offers retirement benefits to older citizens who have paid Social Security taxes for 10 years while working.

For almost all Americans, Social Security benefits are available at age 62.

However, there are exceptional circumstances under which a person can begin to review Social Security benefits before age 62:-

Ways To Get Social Security Before 62

1. File For Disability Benefit

If you become disabled and are unable to work, you may be eligible to receive Social Security disability benefits starting at the age of 50.

These benefits provide financial support to help you and your family through a difficult time. 

According to the ssa.gov website, disability is defined as “the inability to engage in any substantial gainful actively because of any medically determinable physical; or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death; or which has lasted or can be expected to last for as continue spider of not less than 12 months.”

To be eligible for SSDI benefits, you must meet specific criteria, including:

(i) Work History

You must have worked a job covered by Social Security and earned enough credits to be eligible for disability benefits.

The number of credits you need to qualify for benefits depends on your age when you become disabled.

(ii) Medical Condition

Your disability must be severe enough to prevent you from doing any substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has a list of conditions considered disabling, and they will consider the medical evidence you provide to determine if your situation meets their criteria.

(iii) Age

If you are over 50, you may be eligible for SSDI benefits starting at a younger age than if you were younger.

This is because the SSA recognizes that it may be more difficult for older workers to adjust to a new line of work.

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for SSDI benefits by submitting a claim to the SSA. 

This program is designed to protect people who have experienced a physical or mental event that made them incapable of performing a job for which they were paid previously or could be paid for going forward.

2. Claim Spousal Benefits

If your spouse is eligible for Social Security benefits, you may receive benefits based on their earnings record, even if you haven’t worked for the required 40 quarters.

To be eligible for spousal benefits, you must meet specific criteria, including:

(i) Marriage

You must have been married to your deceased spouse for at least nine months.

If the marriage lasted less than nine months, you might still be eligible for benefits if you show that the marriage ended due to your spouse’s death.

(ii) Age

You must be 60 years old to receive spousal benefits.

You will receive a reduced benefit if you are between the ages of 60 and 62.

If you are 62 or older, you will receive the full benefit amount based on your spouse’s earnings record.

(iii) Deceased spouse’s eligibility

Your deceased spouse must have been eligible for Social Security benefits based on their own work history.

Once you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for spousal benefits by submitting a claim to the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Remember that you may also be eligible for benefits based on your work history, and the SSA will consider both options when determining your eligibility and benefit amount.

It’s also important to remember that if you are eligible for both spousal benefits and benefits based on your work history, you will receive the higher of the two amounts.

Additionally, if you are eligible for spousal benefits, you may qualify for survivor’s benefits if your spouse passes away.

A Social Security representative can help you determine eligibility for these and other benefits.

If your spouse is eligible for Social Security benefits, claiming spousal benefits can provide crucial financial support during a difficult time.

By understanding the eligibility criteria and the process of claiming these benefits, you can ensure that you receive the full benefits to which you are entitled.

Related Blog: Ways To Save Money For A Stress-Free Retirement

Conclusion

Applying for Social Security disability benefits is time-consuming and likely frustrating, but the money is available to those who qualify.

You are not alone in filing for these benefits, and there are likely tutorials online to help.

We hope you learned a lot after going through this blog on how to get social security before 62.

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