BANGALORE: Any idea what is social security? Nearly every employee in India pays into the Social Security program, but not everyone understands the benefits they qualify for due to their contributions. And most workers will no longer get paper statements that explain how much they have paid into the system and what benefits they are likely to receive in retirement.

Social security is available only to those who are employed in the organized sector. The Employees’ State Insurance scheme provides medical care and other benefits (in the case of workplace accidents, temporary or permanent disability, incapacity, maternity leave, support for dependants) to employees who earn less than 15,000 a month.

Here are few things that everyone should know about Social Security:

1. Survivor’s Benefits

You probably know the value of having life insurance to financially protect your family, but did you know that Social Security offers valuable income protection as well? If you're qualified for Social Security at your death, your surviving spouse, your unmarried dependent children, or your dependent parents may be eligible for benefits based on your earnings record. You also have survivor protection if you're married and your covered spouse dies and you're at least age 60 (or at least age 50 if you're disabled), or at any age if you're caring for your covered child who is younger than age 16 or disabled.