Guides
Plain-language answers to the questions people search alongside a Social Security office visit, grouped into four topics.
Social Security benefits
- Can I collect Social Security on my ex husband's record?
Often yes. If your marriage lasted at least 10 years, you are currently unmarried, and you and your ex are both at least 62, you can claim up to 50...
July 30, 2026
- If my husband dies, do I get his Social Security?
Yes, with rules. As a surviving spouse, you can receive benefits based on your husband's record. You can start as early as age 60 at a reduced rate, or...
July 27, 2026
- What is the average Social Security check?
The average Social Security check is $1,852 a month in 2024, based on all people who get benefits (SSA, OASDI Beneficiaries by State and County, 2024)...
July 25, 2026
- When are Social Security payments made?
Social Security retirement, survivors, and disability payments arrive on a Wednesday set by your birth date. SSI arrives on the 1st of the month. Payments...
July 22, 2026
Claiming Social Security
- How do I apply for Social Security retirement benefits?
You can apply for Social Security retirement benefits in three ways: online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at a field office. You...
July 22, 2026
- What is full retirement age for Social Security?
Full retirement age is the age when you can get 100 percent of your Social Security retirement benefit. For people born in 1960 or later, it is 67. For...
July 22, 2026
How-to guides
- How to replace a lost or stolen Social Security card
To replace a lost or stolen Social Security card, request a free replacement through your personal my Social Security account online, by mail, or at a...
July 22, 2026
Medicare and Social Security
- How to pay for nursing home care with Social Security
You can put your monthly Social Security check toward nursing home or assisted living costs, but that income rarely covers the full bill. Medicare does...
July 23, 2026
- What are Medicare Part A, B, C, and D?
Medicare has four parts. Part A covers hospital care. Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care. Part C, called Medicare Advantage, bundles Part A...
July 22, 2026
- Medicare age eligibility: when you qualify and when to sign up
Most people qualify for Medicare at age 65. You can enroll starting three months before the month you turn 65. Some people under 65 qualify sooner if they...
July 22, 2026