Final answer:
The statement that an individual must have 6 quarters of coverage during the last 13-quarter period to be currently insured under Social Security is false. The requirements depend on the type of Social Security benefit being claimed. For disability benefits, the typical requirement is 20 quarters of coverage in the last 40-quarter period.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to be considered "currently insured" under Social Security, an individual must be credited with 6 quarters of coverage during the last 13-quarter period is false. To be considered currently insured, a worker needs to have earned at least 6 quarters of coverage in total, but the requirement for the period immediately preceding a claim depends on the type of benefit being claimed. For example, for disability benefits, a worker typically needs to have earned 20 quarters of coverage during the last 40-quarter period. This requirement is part of the eligibility criteria for receiving Social Security disability benefits, which are distributed to qualified workers who become unable to work due to a disability that is expected to last at least twelve months or result in death.
It's important to note that the rules for retirement benefits are different, as they are based on a worker's age and the number of years they contributed to Social Security. In this case, American workers may claim a form of pension, or retirement insurance, upon reaching retirement age, which varies depending on the year of birth. For those born after 1959, the full retirement age is 67. Both retirement and disability benefits, along with Supplemental Security Income, aim to provide a safety net to individuals during old age, disability, or income shortages.