Social Security is a U.S. government program funded through payroll taxes on employees, employers, and self-employed individuals. The taxes are collected under authority of the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) and support Social Security programs—including Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance.

Social Security provides a worker with a source of income during retirement or if the worker is unable to work due to a disability. It can also support a worker’s legal dependents (spouse, children, or parents) with benefits in the event of the worker’s death.

The Social Security program is administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA keeps track of a worker’s earnings throughout their working life. When a worker retires, the amount of the worker’s monthly Social Security benefit depends on the worker’s earnings and the age at which the worker retires. Workers who retire earlier (beginning at age 62) typically receive lower benefit payments than they would if they postpone retirement.

In Utah, as in all states, Social Security is a federal program that provides financial support to retirees, disabled individuals, and the dependents of deceased workers. The program is funded through payroll taxes collected under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA). Employers, employees, and self-employed individuals all contribute to this system. The Social Security Administration (SSA) administers the program and calculates benefits based on an individual's lifetime earnings and the age at which they choose to retire. Early retirement, starting at age 62, results in lower monthly benefits compared to retiring at full retirement age or later. The specific amount of benefits an individual receives is determined by their earnings history and the number of years they have paid into the system. It's important to note that while the SSA is a federal agency, certain aspects of Social Security, such as the taxation of benefits, may be affected by state laws. However, Social Security itself is consistent across all states due to its federal nature.