Social Security

Benefits

A government program that provides retirement, disability, and survivor benefits funded through payroll taxes, with the US system (OASDI) being the most well-known example.

## Social Security

Social Security (formally Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance — OASDI) is the US federal program providing retirement income, disability benefits, and survivor benefits.

### Funding

Funded through FICA payroll taxes: 6.2% employee + 6.2% employer on earnings up to $176,100 (2025). Self-employed pay 12.4%.

### Benefits

| Type | Average Monthly (2024) |
|------|----------------------|
| Retired worker | $1,927 |
| Disabled worker | $1,537 |
| Survivor (spouse) | $1,506 |

### Retirement Age

Full Retirement Age (FRA) is 67 for those born after 1960. Early retirement at 62 permanently reduces benefits by up to 30%. Delaying past FRA increases benefits by 8% per year until age 70.

### Global Equivalents

Every developed country has a social security system: UK State Pension, Germany Gesetzliche Rentenversicherung, Japan Nenkin, France Assurance Retraite.