Social Security Administration (SSA) gives money to retired workers and their families. SSA also gives money to people with disabilities. 

Most workers pay into Social Security while they are working. Your pay stub shows deductions for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, also known as FICA. As you work, you pay these deductions into the Social Security and Medicare systems. Whatever amount you pay for Social Security, your employer pays the same. SSA then uses that money to pay people who qualify for benefits.

The amount of money SSA gives you depends on the amount you and your employers paid while you were working. The amount also depends on whether you choose to begin receiving retirement benefits at age 62. You will receive less money if you start at age 62 than if you wait until you reach full retirement age. When the cost of living goes up, SSA adjusts the amounts of monthly benefits.

If a person dies, their surviving spouse or dependent child can apply for a lump sum payment. This lump sum is paid to the surviving spouse who was living with the deceased at the time of death. If there is no eligible surviving spouse, then a dependent child may apply for the lump sum instead.