 We strive to explain your benefits using
easy-to-understand, plain language. The Plain Writing Act of 2010
requires federal agencies to communicate clearly in a way“the public
can understand and use.” This can be particularly challenging when
talking about complicated programs like Social Security,
Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare. If there’s a technical
term or acronym that you don’t know, you can easily find the meaning
in our online glossary at www.ssa.gov/agency/glossary.
Everyone uses shorter versions of words nowadays. We do too. Social
Security’s acronyms function as shorthand in conversations about our
programs and services. If you’re nearing retirement, you may want to
know what PIA (primary insurance amount), FRA (full retirement age),
and DRCs (delayed retirement credits) mean. These terms describe
your benefit amount — based on when you decide to take it. If you
take your retirement benefit at FRA, you’ll receive the full PIA
(amount payable for a retired worker who starts benefits at full
retirement age). So, FRA is an age and PIA is an amount.
Once you receive benefits, you get a COLA most years. A COLA is a
Cost-of-Living Adjustment, and that will usually mean a little extra
money in your monthly benefit.
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column] |
 What about DRCs? Delayed
retirement credits are the incremental increases added to the PIA if
you delay taking retirement benefits beyond your full retirement
age. If you wait to begin benefits beyond FRA — say, at age 68 or
even 70 — your benefit increases.
If one of those terms or acronyms comes up in conversation, you can
be the one to supply the definition using our online glossary.
Sometimes learning the terminology can deepen your understanding of
how Social Security works for you.
[By Becky Whitlow
Social Security District Manager in Springfield] |
