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Joint Economic Committee Democrats Social Security Charts Chart 1.3 Last updated 1/23/06 Download this chart in PDF Social Security provides benefits not only to retired and disabled workers but also to the family members of workers who die, retire, or become disabled. Over half of female Social Security beneficiaries receive their benefits as the spouse or survivor of a retired or disabled worker. This figure includes women who are dually entitled, meaning that they qualify for a benefit based on their own work record as well as a benefit as the spouse or survivor of a retired or disabled worker. In contrast, the overwhelming majority of men (97 percent) receive their benefit as retired or disabled workers only, not as spouses or survivors. About 96 percent of the adults who receive benefits as the spouse or survivor of a retired or disabled worker are women.