Social Security helps retired workers but it also pays benefits to widows, widowers, and children - benefiting more than 64 million people in total.
When you work, you pay into Social Security.
The money you pay in taxes isn’t held in a personal account for you to use when you get benefits.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses your taxes to pay people who are getting benefits right now.
Any unused money goes to the Social Security trust fund that pays monthly benefits to you and your family when you start receiving retirement benefits.
We explain the various areas in which Social Security is helping Americans - and when you'll receive the payments.