| RSDI stands for three programs administered by the | | | | the worker needs credits for half of the time between |
| US Social Security Administration – Retirement, | | | | age 21 and the time he became disabled. |
| Survivors and Disability insurance. Taken together, it is | | | | If the disability however occurs at the age of 31 or |
| the largest insurance program in the country. | | | | older, the worker generally must have at least worked |
| Overview | | | | for 5 years in the 10 years immediately following the |
| From its name, the program provides monetary | | | | date he becomes disabled. |
| benefits for those who: | | | | Survivor benefits |
| 1. have retired from employment | | | | This benefit is given to certain family members of a |
| 2. are the surviving spouse or dependents of the | | | | deceased person who has worked and paid Social |
| deceased employee | | | | Security taxes. |
| 3. have suffered disability or death of a family | | | | Depending on the age of a person at a time of death, |
| provider | | | | up to 10 years of work is generally needed in order |
| The programs have become part of our lives for | | | | that his survivors may be eligible for benefits. On the |
| more than 70 years now, covering nearly 96% of all | | | | other hand, a young worker needs at least 1 ½ |
| occupations in the US. RSDI continues to provide | | | | years of work during the three years before his death. |
| economic security for retirees, disabled and survivors | | | | Social Security survivor benefits can also be paid to |
| until today. | | | | the following: |
| Now around 164 million workers have received Social | | | | • A widow or widower – full benefits at full |
| Security protection and about 50 million people have | | | | retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age |
| been RSDI recipients. | | | | 60 |
| Retirement | | | | • A disabled widow or widower – as early |
| To be eligible for retirement benefits, a worker born in | | | | as age 50 |
| 1929 onwards must have 10 years of work. For those | | | | • A widow or widower of any age who takes |
| who are born before that year, they need fewer | | | | care of the deceased’s child who is younger than |
| years of work. | | | | age 16 or disabled, and receiving Social Security |
| For those who has stopped working, the equivalent | | | | benefits |
| earned credits for number of years worked remain in | | | | • Divorced spouses under certain conditions |
| the Social Security record. The credits can be added | | | | • Unmarried children under 18, or up to age 19 |
| on upon returning to work to qualify for retirement | | | | if they attend elementary or secondary school full time. |
| benefits. | | | | Under certain circumstances, benefits can be paid to |
| Disability | | | | stepchildren, grandchildren or adopted children |
| Eligibility and the amount of disability benefits vary | | | | • Children who were disabled before age 22 |
| depending on the age of the worker and the time | | | | and remain disabled |
| when he becomes disabled. | | | | • Dependent parents age 62 or older |
| If the disability occurs before the age of 24, the | | | | For any concerns on retirement, survivor or disability |
| worker generally must have worked for 1 ½ years in | | | | insurance, visit our website to know how our Los |
| three years before the date of disability. | | | | Angeles lawyers can help you in pursuing your Social |
| For those who belong to age bracket of 24 and 30, | | | | Security benefits. |