# Social Security Administration |  | The United States **Social Security Administration** (SSA) is an independent agency of the U.S. federal government that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability and survivor benefits. To qualify for most of these benefits, most workers pay Social Security tax²bmoes on their earnings; the claimant's benefits are based on the wage earner's contributions. Otherwise benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are given based on need. | |-|-| | | wikipedia:: [Social Security Administration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Security_Administration) |