Strange But True: Free Loan From Social Security (2024)

Disclaimer: The U.S. Social Security Administration substantially limited the use of the “free loan” strategy in 2010, seepress release|federal ruling

The brief’s key findings are:

  • An unconventional strategy allows individuals to use early Social Security benefits like a “free loan,” paying back the principal while keeping the interest.
  • If this strategy were widely adopted, it would cost Social Security $6 billion to $11 billion per year today and more in the future.
  • The strategy primarily benefits higher income individuals, who have the financial resources to invest their benefits and tend to be in better health.
Strange But True: Free Loan From Social Security (2024)

FAQs

What is a strange but true free loan from Social Security disability? ›

The brief's key findings are: An unconventional strategy allows individuals to use early Social Security benefits like a “free loan,” paying back the principal while keeping the interest. If this strategy were widely adopted, it would cost Social Security $6 billion to $11 billion per year today and more in the future.

How to get an interest free loan from Social Security? ›

Social Security will not give you a loan or let you borrow against your future benefits. You can't, for example, ask to borrow $5,000 and then simply have Social Security deduct that sum from your benefits once you start collecting them.

What is the Social Security loan? ›

Social Security benefits are one source of income that can help you qualify for a personal loan if you need one. The proceeds from such a loan won't affect your retirement benefits, but they can have an impact on your benefits if you're receiving SSI. Social Security Administration. "Spotlight on Loans — 2023 Edition."

Did Congress borrow money from Social Security? ›

In 2017, the system will begin paying out more than it takes in. This will ultimately result in drastically higher taxes, reduced benefits, increased debt, or cuts to other critical government programs. The Government Has Borrowed $1.7 Trillion From The Social Security Trust Fund.

Did the government borrow money from Social Security and not pay it back? ›

Some have claimed that the government's borrowing from Social Security is “stealing,” but Johnson explained to VERIFY that this is misinformation. According to the SSA, the government is obligated to pay back borrowed funds and has never failed to do so.

What is the $16 122 social security bonus? ›

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

How do I get the $16728 Social Security bonus? ›

Have you heard about the Social Security $16,728 yearly bonus? There's really no “bonus” that retirees can collect. The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a specific formula based on your lifetime earnings to determine your benefit amount.

Is my Social Security number worth money? ›

The Reality. There is no monetary value to a birth certificate or a social security number/EIN, and TreasuryDirect accounts must be funded by the owner (through payroll deductions or from purchasing directly from the owner's personal bank account) to have any value.

How to get money from your Social Security number? ›

Quick – It's easy to receive your benefit by Direct Deposit. You can sign up online at Go Direct®, by calling 1-800-333-1795, in person at your bank, savings and loan or credit union, or calling Social Security. Then, just relax. Your benefit will go automatically into your account every month.

Is there really a social security trust fund? ›

The Social Security trust funds are financial accounts in the U.S. Treasury. There are two separate Social Security trust funds, the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund pays retirement and survivors benefits, and the Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Fund pays disability benefits.

How much money is in the Social Security Trust Fund? ›

As of 2021, the Trust Fund contained (or alternatively, was owed) $2.908 trillion. The Trust Fund is required by law to be invested in non-marketable securities issued and guaranteed by the "full faith and credit" of the federal government.

Can you get a one-time loan from Social Security? ›

We may pay a one-time emergency advance payment to an individual initially applying for benefits who is presumptively eligible for SSI benefits and who has a financial emergency.

Which president borrowed from Social Security? ›

Bush 'borrowed' $1.37 trillion of Social Security surplus revenue to pay for his tax cuts for the rich and his war in Iraq and never paid it back”.

How much did the US government borrow from Social Security? ›

The fact is that Congress, despite borrowing $2.9 trillion from Social Security, hasn't pilfered or misappropriated a red cent from the program. Regardless of whether Social Security was presented as a unified budget under Lyndon B.

What did Reagan do to Social Security? ›

December 29, 1981 President Reagan signed legislation which, among other changes: restored the minimum Social Security benefit; provided the trustees of the various trust funds with the authority to borrow from each other through December 1982; made changes in sick pay reporting; and increased the penalties for misuse ...

What is a disabled loan? ›

A disability loan is a personal loan you can use for necessary, everyday expenses like groceries, bills or mortgage payments if your disability has rendered you unable to work.

Can disability give you a loan? ›

The loan amount you can qualify for typically depends on your disability income and your ability to repay the loan. Just like any other loan, lenders will assess your financial status, including your monthly income from disability benefits, any other sources of revenue and your expenses.

Is there loan forgiveness for people with disabilities? ›

If you're totally and permanently disabled, you may qualify for a discharge of your federal student loans and/or Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant service obligation.

What is credit disability on a loan? ›

If you have a credit disability policy and you become ill or injured and cannot work, the insurance company makes payments on the loan under the terms set out in the agreement. This is optional coverage. When purchased, the cost of the policy may be added to the principal amount of the loan.

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