WHAT DOES SOCIAL SECURITY MEAN BY "INSURED STATUS"?
WHAT IS "INSURED STATUS" WITH SOCIAL SECURITY?
You hear people talking about "insured status" with Social Security. What does it mean to have "insured status"?
Answer: Insured status means that you have worked long enough and recently enough to be covered by Social Security disability insurance.
Not everyone is covered by the Social Security disability program. You must have worked to be covered.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is an insurance program underwritten by the US Government. It is designed to cover workers. But to be covered, a worker must accumulate a minimum number of "quarters of coverage" (QCs). These credits are earned by working one calendar quarter and paying FICA taxes on the earnings. In 2017, earning at least $1,300 in a calendar quarter will earn one quarter of coverage with Social Security.
In the years before 1978, one QC was earned for each quarter in which the worker had covered wages of at least $50. Beginning in 1978, earnings of at least $250 were required to obtain one QC. These numbers gradually increased over time. For example, in the year 2000, a worker had to earn $780 in a calendar quarter to get 1 QC. In 2017, that number has increased to $1,300 per quarter.
So, "quarters of coverage" (QCs) now accumulate for each quarter you earn at least $1,300. (You can earn a maximum of 4 QCs per year). The number of "quarters" you need to be covered for the disability program depends on your age. The minimum number of QCs required is 6. Then, you generally need 1 QC for each year after you turn 21.
You will normally have insured status if you earned at least 20 QCs during the last 10 years and are fully insured. Younger workers will need fewer QCs.
Social Security no longer sends out routine announcements about your insured status. But you can find out if you are insured by calling your local Social Security office. In Huntsville, call 1-866-593-0665. In Decatur, call 1-888-289-9185. Ask if you have insured status for Title 2 benefits (disability).
Answer: Insured status means that you have worked long enough and recently enough to be covered by Social Security disability insurance.
Not everyone is covered by the Social Security disability program. You must have worked to be covered.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is an insurance program underwritten by the US Government. It is designed to cover workers. But to be covered, a worker must accumulate a minimum number of "quarters of coverage" (QCs). These credits are earned by working one calendar quarter and paying FICA taxes on the earnings. In 2017, earning at least $1,300 in a calendar quarter will earn one quarter of coverage with Social Security.
In the years before 1978, one QC was earned for each quarter in which the worker had covered wages of at least $50. Beginning in 1978, earnings of at least $250 were required to obtain one QC. These numbers gradually increased over time. For example, in the year 2000, a worker had to earn $780 in a calendar quarter to get 1 QC. In 2017, that number has increased to $1,300 per quarter.
So, "quarters of coverage" (QCs) now accumulate for each quarter you earn at least $1,300. (You can earn a maximum of 4 QCs per year). The number of "quarters" you need to be covered for the disability program depends on your age. The minimum number of QCs required is 6. Then, you generally need 1 QC for each year after you turn 21.
You will normally have insured status if you earned at least 20 QCs during the last 10 years and are fully insured. Younger workers will need fewer QCs.
Social Security no longer sends out routine announcements about your insured status. But you can find out if you are insured by calling your local Social Security office. In Huntsville, call 1-866-593-0665. In Decatur, call 1-888-289-9185. Ask if you have insured status for Title 2 benefits (disability).
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