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Quiz about Social Security in the United States

Social Security in the United States Quiz

This quiz refers only to the United States Social Security system; do not confuse it with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicare. All references to benefits in the quiz refer to recurring monthly benefits.

A multiple-choice quiz by MacThespian. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
MacThespian

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
358,589

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
403

Question 1 of 10

1. The Social Security Act was signed into law in which decade? Hint

1950s

1920s

1930s

1940s

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Question 2 of 10

2. What types of benefits does Social Security pay? Hint

Retirement benefits only

Retirement and Disability benefits only

Retirement and Survivor benefits only

Retirement, Survivor, and Disability benefits

3. Social Security pays benefits to relatives of the worker (provided certain specific requirements have been met). Which of the following relatives would not be eligible to receive Social Security benefits? Hint

Child (son or daughter of the worker)

Parent (father or mother of the worker)

Spouse (husband or wife of the worker)

Sibling (brother or sister of the worker)

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Question 4 of 10

4. How long do you have to work to become entitled to Social Security benefits? Hint

10 years

20 years

5 years

35 years

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Question 5 of 10

5. Although a person's initial payment may be received on any day of the month, recurring monthly payments are made on which day? Hint

Either the 3rd day of the month, or the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday of the month

The 3rd day of the month

The 1st day of the month

The last day of the month

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Question 6 of 10

6. All Social Security benefits are based upon the amount the worker would receive if s/he first became entitled at Full Retirement Age (which ranges from 65 to 67, depending upon the year the person was born). What is this amount called? Hint

Medicare Amount (MA)

Necessary Insurance Amount (NIA)

Maximum Possible Benefit Amount (MPBA)

Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)

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Question 7 of 10

7. Social Security benefits for a given month are paid when? Hint

The month prior to the given month

The month following the given month

The given month

Two months after the given month

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following factors does not affect the amount of a person's Social Security benefit in the US? Hint

The worker's year of birth

The state in which the worker lives

The worker's actual earnings

The month the worker is first entitled (in relationship to his or her full retirement age)

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Question 9 of 10

9. Self employment income was first covered under Social Security in what year? Hint

1973

1937

1951

1965

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Question 10 of 10

10. What is the earliest age at which you can receive Social Security retirement benefits? Hint

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The Social Security Act was signed into law in which decade?

Answer: 1930s

The Social Security Act was signed into law on August 14, 1935 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Social Security taxes were first collected in 1937, and the first recurring monthly benefits were paid in 1940.

2. What types of benefits does Social Security pay?

Answer: Retirement, Survivor, and Disability benefits

When the Social Security Act was originally passed, it only provided for retirement benefits. Survivor benefits were added by a change in the law in 1939, and disability benefits were added in 1956.

Answer: Sibling (brother or sister of the worker)

In general, children of the worker can receive benefits until age 18, or 19 if they are in full time attendance at a secondary school.

4. How long do you have to work to become entitled to Social Security benefits?

Answer: 10 years

Although you only have to work for 10 years to become entitled to Social Security benefits, the amount of your benefits is based upon your highest 35 years of earnings.

5. Although a person's initial payment may be received on any day of the month, recurring monthly payments are made on which day?

Answer: Either the 3rd day of the month, or the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday of the month

Although all Social Security payments were initially paid on the 3rd day of the month, this changed for people who filed for benefits after April 30th, 1997. At that time, most benefits became payable on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th Wednesday of the month, depending upon the worker's birthday.

Answer: Primary Insurance Amount (PIA)

The Primary Insurance Amount is the basis of all Social Security benefit calculations. The other answers are not terms used by the Social Security Administration.

7. Social Security benefits for a given month are paid when?

Answer: The month following the given month

A person must be alive for an entire month in order to be paid for that month.

8. Which of the following factors does not affect the amount of a person's Social Security benefit in the US?

Answer: The state in which the worker lives

Although the cost of living may vary from state to state, this does not affect a person's Social Security benefit.

9. Self employment income was first covered under Social Security in what year?

Answer: 1951

Initially, Social Security only covered wages, not self-employment income.

10. What is the earliest age at which you can receive Social Security retirement benefits?

Answer: 62

You must be age 62 throughout the entire month to receive retirement benefits for that month. For most people, this means that the first possible month of entitlement to retirement benefits is the month after they attain age 62.

Source: Author MacThespian

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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