When Social Security was created, it was intended to be one leg of a “threelegged stool” for income security in retirement, with pensions and personal savings forming the other two legs. However, today nearly three out of five retirees receive at least one-half of their retirement income from Social Security. For almost one-half of all retirees, it is their only source of income. You must earn eligibility for Social Security retirement benefits through

wage taxes paid while you are employed. Family members of workers with qualifying employment records may also be entitled to derivative and survivors benefits. In addition to retirement benefits, the Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees benefits for disabled workers and their families.