12 Surprising Social Security Perks Everyone Overlooks

Most Americans know the Social Security Administration (SSA) pays monthly benefits to millions of retired American workers. But did you know that Social Security benefits go beyond the money that ends up in your bank account?

The SSA actually offers many other perks that can help retired workers stretch their retirement savings. Keep reading to learn about 12 Social Security perks you should start taking advantage of today.

Your Social Security benefits are calculated based on your lifetime earnings history, which means the SSA maintains a record of your earnings history from your first job to your last.

This easily accessible history ensures you can find salary information whenever you need it. It can be helpful to look at the history from time to time to make sure it is accurate and that you will get the benefits to which you are entitled once you retire.

You become eligible for Social Security at 62 and Medicare when you turn 65.

There can be good reasons to delay filing for Social Security beyond 62. However, most Americans will want to apply for Medicare as soon as they are eligible.

The Social Security Administration’s website can help you do just that. Filing an application through the site should take 10 minutes or less, according to the SSA.

Even if you are eligible for Social Security disability benefits, it can take months to get the money you need. The SSA helps speed up the process for Social Security recipients via its Compassionate Allowances program.

If you file a Social Security Disability Insurance claim due to one of the 280 conditions listed in the program, the SSA will fast-track your application to help you get money as quickly as possible.

A successful retirement requires financial planning. The SSA hosts free online calculators that help you estimate everything from your monthly benefits check to the right age at which to retire.

You will likely need more prescription medications as you age, and those costs can add up fast.

Thanks to a program called Extra Help — which is offered by the SSA alongside the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — low-income retirees may qualify for additional savings that make prescriptions more affordable.

As you get older, disability or illness may keep you from managing your finances.

If you can’t take care of your own Social Security benefits check, the SSA can appoint a “representative payee” who manages money in your stead. This can be a family member or friend or someone from an organization that offers this help.

Finding affordable, senior-focused legal and financial aid can be a struggle, especially if you are not sure where to start looking.

Fortunately, you can visit your local Social Security office to discuss referrals to nearby programs that support seniors, such as legal help and meal delivery services.

If you rely on Social Security Disability Insurance but want to re-enter the workforce, the SSA’s Ticket to Work program can connect you with free services such as career counseling and job placement.

If you prefer to communicate in a language other than English, the Social Security Administration offers free translation and interpretation services so you can discuss Social Security-related issues in your native language.

Call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an interpreter.

The U.S. has agreements with more than two dozen other countries to help ensure U.S. citizens living and working in foreign countries don’t have to pay taxes toward retirement benefits twice — once for U.S. taxes and once for the retirement program in the country where you are working.

Whether you are applying for a loan or considering buying a house, you might need to provide proof of income to get a favorable rate.

If you are receiving Social Security income, you can log on to your SSA account to quickly look up your income and provide proof of benefits.

Are you financially supporting any dependent grandchildren? If you are the primary provider for a dependent grandchild, they may qualify for survivor or dependent benefits once you retire.

Note that if you are already receiving Social Security benefits when you become responsible for a dependent grandchild, you will likely have to legally adopt that child in order for them to qualify for benefits.

Receiving a monthly Social Security benefits check is an essential way to eliminate some money stress so you can better enjoy retirement.

But don’t sleep on the host of other ways the Social Security Administration can help you meet your financial, lifestyle, and happiness goals in this new phase of your life.

These free services are just waiting for you to use them. While you can access most of them online, you can also reach out to your local Social Security office for help getting started.