Employers take a cut of your paychecks for social security. The government issues social security checks to the retired, disabled or family of those individuals who have applied for social security benefits and have retired.

Age

According to the Social Security Administration, an individual must be at least 61 years and 9 months of age to apply for social security benefits, although the age for full retirement is 65.

Documentation

U.S. citizens or lawful aliens who are at least 61 years and 9 months of age must have a social security card, birth certificate, W-2 or tax return for the previous year available at the time of application, according to the Social Security Administration.

Credits

According to the Social Security Administration, in addition to the age requirement, an individual must have a minimum of 40 credits, the equivalent of 10 years of work history, to receive retirement benefits. An individual may, in their working lifetime, earn more than 40 credits.

Family Benefits

Family members of a retired individual may be eligible for social security benefits, including disabled children, children up to age 19 who have not graduated high school, spouses and former spouses.

Widows and Widowers

Widows and widowers are eligible for benefits at the age of 60, unless they are disabled, according to the Social Security Administration. In that case, individuals are eligible at 50 years of age.

Source:

Social Security Administration: Social Security Retirement Benfits

Social Security Administration: Work credits