What are the qualifications for applying for Social Security?
You can receive Social Security benefits based on your earnings record if you are age 62 or older, or disabled or blind and have enough work credits. Family members who qualify for benefits on your work record do not need work credits.
What disqualifies Social Security?
Some government and railroad employees are not eligible for Social Security. American expatriates retiring in certain countries—and some retired immigrants to the U.S.—can’t collect Social Security benefits. Divorced spouses married for fewer than 10 years cannot claim benefits based on the earnings of their ex-spouse.
What happens if you don’t have enough credits for Social Security?
If you do not have enough work credits to be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance, you may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if you have limited income and assets.
Can you qualify for Social Security if you have never worked?
Even if you’ve never had a job, you may still be eligible for Social Security benefits when you retire or become disabled. Social Security benefits are based on the amount of income you earned during your working life.
What does 40 credits mean for Social Security?
Earn 40 credits to become fully insured If you earn four credits a year, then you will earn 40 credits after 10 years of work. Each year the amount of earnings needed to earn one credit goes up slightly as average wages increase.
How do I know if I have 40 credits for Social Security?
You can work all year to earn four credits, or you can earn enough for all four in a much shorter length of time. If you earn four credits a year, then you will earn 40 credits after 10 years of work. Each year the amount of earnings needed to earn one credit goes up slightly as average wages increase.
Will I get Social Security if I only worked 10 years?
Anyone born in 1929 or later needs 10 years of work (40 credits) to be eligible for retirement benefits.