Читать книгу Social Security For Dummies - Peterson Jonathan, Jonathan Peterson - Страница 52

SSDI payment levels are based on average lifetime earnings. Individuals can qualify with a lower number of credits than is typical for retirement benefits:

 Workers younger than 24: You need six credits earned in the three years before the onset of disability. As with other Social Security benefits, you can earn up to four credits per year for covered work.

 Workers ages 24 to 31: You need to have worked in Social Security–covered employment 50 percent of the time between age 21 and the onset of the disability.

 Workers ages 31 and up: The credit requirements steadily increase. At 31, you’re expected to have built up 20 credits, and this moves up to 40 credits for applicants ages 41 and older. Also, applicants generally are expected to have earned 20 credits within the ten years before the onset of disability.

If you meet the strict qualifications for disability insurance, you may receive a benefit that is 100 percent of your primary insurance amount, which is the same as the retirement benefit you qualify for at full retirement age. Significantly, a worker’s disability benefit is not reduced for age (after all, job-related disability takes place before you retire).

The average monthly benefit for a disabled worker is a bit over $1,255, but if you’re disabled with above-average earnings, your benefit is higher. A worker’s disability benefit switches automatically to a retirement benefit when the worker reaches full retirement age. The payment level doesn’t change.

When a worker qualifies for SSDI, benefits may also go to other family members. Not only does the breadwinner get income, but payments may also be made to a dependent child and spouse. The child’s benefit may be 50 percent of the breadwinner’s amount (as long as the child is younger than 18, or up to 19 if still in high school and unmarried). A dependent spouse without a child may qualify for 50 percent of the disabled worker’s benefit if the spouse has reached full retirement age. If the spouse is younger, the benefit becomes available at 62. If the spouse is caring for the disabled worker’s child, the dependent spouse benefit of 50 percent is available at any age. When multiple Social Security benefits are flowing into one household, they may be reduced by the family maximum (see Chapter 10).