Social Security
Social Security is the United States' basic method of providing income when family earnings are reduced or cease upon retirement, disability or death. Social Security retirement benefits are based upon your salary history up the maximum social security taxable wage base. Full benefits are payable if you retire at age 65. This age will gradually increase to 66 for individuals who reach that age in the year 2009 and to 67 for those who reach that age in the year 2027. Each pay period, payroll deductions for social security are taken from your check. New York State matches this deduction as the employer's contribution. The current rate of contribution is 6.2% for all earnings up to $76,200. An additional 1.45% is deducted for supplemental Medicare on all earnings.
Disability Allowance
The US Social Security Administration provides a disability benefit to employees who are disabled to the extent that they cannot perform substantial gainful work and meet specific eligibility guidelines. The amount of disability benefit is the employees Primary Insurance Amount (PIA) at the time they become disabled. There is a five (5) month waiting period from the time a disability is determined until benefits begin. Benefits may be reduced if the employee is receiving payments under a workers' compensation or other disability plan. Additional information is available in the Human Resources Office or directly from the local Social Security Administration office.
Death Benefits
A death benefit is provided for those who have paid into the system. Generally, a beneficiary receives 75% of the primary insurance benefit the employee would have received if he/she retired at age 65. The exact amount payable is determined by such factors as salary at the time of death, number and age of dependents, and whether any of the dependents has a disability. A widow or widower with children may be entitled to additional benefits.
My Social Security Account
With this account, you can verify your earnings and get estimates of future benefits to help make important financial decisions. If you are already receiving benefits, you can get a benefit verification letter, check benefit and payment information, change your address or direct deposit information, and get a replacement Medicare card or SSA-1099 for tax season.
Request a Social Security Card
You now can use a my Social Security account to request a replacement Social Security card online if you:
- are a U.S. citizen age 18 years or older with a U.S. mailing address;
- are not requesting a name change or any other change to your card; and
- have a driver's license or a state-issued identification card from one of the states listed, including New York!
If you cannot apply for a card online, you will need to show the required documents. We need to see different documents depending on your citizenship and the type of card you are requesting. See Learn What Documents You Need to find out what documents you will have to show. Fill out and print an Application for a Social Security Card; and take or mail your application and documents to your local Social Security office, or Social Security Card Center if there is one in your area.
Remember, you can get an original Social Security card or a replacement card if yours is lost or stolen. There is no charge for a Social Security card. This service is free.
Further information regarding social security, calculating your benefits and methods of receiving advice and assistance is available from the Social Security web site.
