Fact Check: Are Immigrants Getting Social Security? - AMAC & Newsweek
Aliss Higham of Newsweek dives into the illegal alien vs. Social Security argument. In the debate, Donald Trump said, “Social Security, he’s destroying it because millions of people are pouring into our country, and they’re putting them onto Social Security.” But Trump did not specify whether he was referring to migrants living in the U.S. legally or illegally. Illegals cannot collect Social Security retirement benefits, but some immigrants may be able to collect Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a federal government program separate from Social Security and often called “welfare.” To take advantage of SSI, there are established criteria qualifying recipients:
- Lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
- Granted conditional entry.
- Paroled into the United States.
- Admitted as a refugee.
- Granted asylum.
- An alien whose removal is being withheld.
- A Cuban or Haitian entrant.
- Admitted as an Amerasian immigrant.
- Admitted as an Afghan or Iraqi special immigrant.
- Admitted as an Afghan humanitarian parolee.
- Admitted as an Afghan non-special immigrant parolee.
- Admitted as a Ukrainian humanitarian parolee.
For the full breakdown of eligibility for noncitizens who can collect SSI benefits, click here. Read the full article here.
Just to clarify your post, non US citizens who have legal residency, ie green card, can collect Social Security if they have met the requirements of working and paying into Social Security for 10years +
John,
Yes, anyone who is legally present in the U.S. (e.g., with a “green card”) and who works and earns the requisite 40 “quarter credits” for Social Security, can collect Social Security benefits. However, the amount of monthly Social Security they get is directly related to their covered earnings while contributing to Social Security. In other words, those who EARN the minimum quarters get the amount they’ve actually earned from working. That amount is based upon their Average Indexed Monthly Earnings (AIME – their average monthly earnings while working) which translates to their Primary Insurance Amount (PIA – their monthly SS benefit amount). Those who earn the minimum 40 quarter credits also get a minimum monthly benefit, usually about 40% of their AIME – their average monthly earnings while working and contributing to Social Security. Essentially, those who pay into Social Security get benefits as a percentage of their earnings while contributing to the program, but they must have contributed for about 10 years (40 quarters) to earn benefits.
I hope this clarifies, but please contact us at SSAdvisor@amacfoundation.org if you have further questions.
Regards,
Russell Gloor
Certified Social Security Advisor
The AMAC Foundation
Are they really citizens now?
Are they paying into the SS regularly if under the age of 65?
If not, they should NOT be receiving s
S benefits.
Daniel:
Thank you for commenting on the Fact Check article. In response to your questions, I would note that about half of the roughly 46 million immigrants living in the U.S. have become, according to coopercenter.org, naturalized citizens. As a result, they are eligible to vote in federal elections and can receive benefits available to other citizens, based on eligibility criteria. Holding a job and paying payroll taxes makes them eligible to receive Social Security benefits based on their work record and in accordance with Social Security eligibility rules.
Illegal immigrants, on the other hand, may be able to obtain tax-paying jobs via fraudulently-obtained Social Security Numbers, but would not be able to claim Social Security benefits on these records because they are not U.S. Citizens.
Gerry Hafer
Social Security Advisor
AMAC Foundation, Inc.
The above is intended for information purposes only and does not represent legal or financial guidance. It presents the opinions and interpretations of the AMAC Foundation’s staff, trained and accredited by the National Social Security Association (NSSA). NSSA and the AMAC Foundation and its staff are not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any other governmental entity. To submit a question, visit our website (amacfoundation.org/programs/social-security-advisory) or email us at ssadvisor@amacfoundation.org.