What does Social Security benefits include?

Social Security benefits encompass various forms of financial assistance provided to citizens, specifically focusing on disability and retirement insurance. This is a crucial aspect of the Social Security system, which is designed to support individuals who are retired or disabled and unable to engage in substantial gainful activity.

Retirement insurance allows those who have contributed to the Social Security system through payroll taxes to receive monthly payments once they reach a certain age, typically 66 or older, depending on their birth year. Meanwhile, disability insurance provides financial support to individuals who have qualifying disabilities, meaning they cannot work or perform substantial gainful activity due to their condition.

The other options do not fall under what Social Security benefits include. Property tax rebates are typically state or local programs, not federally administered benefits. Health insurance premium benefits may refer to programs like Medicare, but they are separate from the core benefits of Social Security. Unemployment benefits serve a different purpose, providing temporary financial assistance to those who lose their jobs through no fault of their own, which also is not categorized under Social Security benefits.