Social Security and Medicare: Federal

Author: Jayne Zanglein, Western Carolina University

Summary

• The Social Security Act provides workers and their families with income replacement upon retirement, the death of a spouse and permanent disability. See Social Security.
• When individuals work and pay Social Security taxes, they earn credits towards Social Security benefits. See Social Security Benefits.
• Social Security provides retirement benefits, disability benefits, death benefits and survivor's benefits. See Social Security Benefits.
• Medicare is a federal health insurance program for certain qualified individuals. See Medicare.
• Medicare is composed of four programs. See Medicare Benefits.