Social Security benefits replace a percentage of your earnings when you retire, become disabled or die.

Your retirement benefits will be based on your lifetime earnings and the age at which you begin taking them.

If you cannot work because of a physical or mental condition that is expected to last at least one year or result in death, you might be eligible for Social Security disability benefits.

People with disabilities, including children, who have little income and assets might also be eligible for disability payments through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.

When you start receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, your spouse and minor children also may be eligible for payments.

When you die, your spouse and children younger than 18 might become eligible for survivors benefits. Your spouse (or minor child if there is no surviving spouse) also might be eligible to get a one-time death benefit of $255.

For a good overview of Social security benefits, go to http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10024.html#yourfamily.