Will I Get the Same Amount of Social Security Benefits if I'm Moving From Oklahoma to Hawaii?
- Social Security is a national program administered at the federal level. Thus, you get the same amount of Social Security benefits if you move from Oklahoma to Hawaii or anywhere else. You can choose to retire as early as age 62, but your benefits may be reduced by as much as 25 percent. On the other hand, if you delay retirement past your full retirement age -- 66 to 67 years of age, depending on when you were born -- you can increase your monthly payment. Working while you receive early benefits may reduce your benefits until you reach full retirement age.
- The amount of your full retirement benefit is based only on your lifetime earnings from working. To figure your benefit amount, the Social Security Administration first indexes your earnings for each year you worked. Indexing adjusts yearly earnings for changes in average wages over time. The indexed amounts for the 35 years during which you made the most money are averaged to find your monthly indexed earnings. The monthly figure is put into a formula to determine your regular benefit amount when you reach full retirement age.
- If you become disabled and cannot work, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance, or SSDI. SSDI payments are based on your lifetime earnings. Like retirement benefits, SSDI is a federal program and your benefits are the same wherever you choose to live. This may not be the case for Supplemental Security Income, or SSI. SSI benefits are paid to people who are disabled but do not qualify for SSDI. Federal SSI payments are the same nationwide and were set at $674 per month as of the date of publication. Most states also have supplemental income programs. Both Oklahoma and Hawaii provide state supplemental income that is added to SSI. Each state has its own criteria and benefit amounts. Benefit amounts depend on your individual situation. To determine if your SSI benefits will change if you move from Oklahoma to Hawaii, contact the Social Security Administration.
- When you move, the Social Security Administration can't send you your benefits if you don't tell them where you went. You can submit a change of address online on the Social Security Administration website. If for some reason that is not possible, contact a local Social Security office. You can also call the Social Security Administration to submit a change of address. The number is 800-772-1213, or 800-325-0778 for TTY calls.