Survivor benefit

Barriers and Communications Preferences of Rural Populations: A Scoping Review

April 9, 2023
Susan Barnes
benefit claiming, Disparities, Social Security, Social Security program communications, Survivor benefit

This scoping review of the literature on communications and service-related barriers faced by individuals living in rural areas when seeking government benefits will examine the current research on this topic and identify differences by sociodemographic groups within rural populations.

Mixed-method Study on Information, Communications, and Access to Government Benefit among Rural Populations

April 9, 2023
Susan Barnes
benefit claiming, Social Security program communications, Survivor benefit

Federal and state benefits provide essential assistance to reduce urban-rural inequities and indirectly contribute to the rural economy. Yet, while participation in benefits programs is higher among rural than urban residents, gaps remain in benefit access in rural areas. Little…

The Lifetime Earnings Effects of the Social Security Student Benefit

In 1981, Congress voted to eliminate the “student benefit” of Social Security, which allowed for the continuation of child benefits past the age of 18 for those enrolled in schooling full-time. We compare the lifetime earnings of eligible children who…

How Redistributive Is the U.S Social Security System Today?

October 25, 2022
Susan Barnes
Administrative data link, benefit claiming, Demographic trends, Disparities, Social Security, Social Security spousal benefits, Survivor benefit

This project will quantify the extent of current redistribution within the United States Social Security program, incorporating mortality, marriage, and claiming age differentials by minority status, lifetime earnings, and marital status.