How do you qualify for social security benefits

You qualify for Social Security by compiling credits when you pay Social Security taxes on your earnings. You can earn up to four credits per year. Workers qualify for Social Security retirement benefits when they reach 40 lifetime credits.

How do you qualify for social security benefits

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In 2022, $1,510 in income from “covered” employment — work in which you paid Social Security taxes — equals one work credit. You can reach your four-credit maximum by earning at least $6,040 for the year. The credit amounts are adjusted annually for inflation.

You become eligible to collect Social Security retirement benefits at age 62. You can check on your eligibility, earnings history and estimated future benefits on the Social Security statement at your online My Social Security account.

The Social Security Retirement benefit is a monthly check that replaces part of your income when you reduce your hours or stop working altogether. It may not replace all your income so it's best to identify other ways to pay for your monthly expenses as you age.

Learn how to apply

See if you're eligible

Eligibility is always based on work. Most jobs take Social Security taxes out of your paycheck so you can get a monthly benefit in retirement.

Check your eligibility

Plan for retirement

Estimate your benefit amount, determine when to apply, and explore other factors that may affect your retirement planning.

The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness who have income and resources below specific financial limits. SSI payments are also made to people age 65 and older without disabilities who meet the financial qualifications.

You may be eligible to receive SSI monthly payments even if you are already receiving Social Security Disability Insurance or retirement benefits.

How to Apply

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Other Ways to Apply

Apply By Phone

Call us to make an appointment to file your application at 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can call us at TTY 1-800-325-0778.

Apply Online

  • Start a disability claim online (if age 18-64)
  • Start a child's disability claim online (under age 18)

More about the program

How SSI Works

SSI is a Federal program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes). It provides monthly payments to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. The base monthly federal amount varies depending on your living arrangement and countable income.

Not everyone gets the same amount. You may get more if you live in a state that adds money to the federal SSI payment. You may get less if you have other income such as wages, pensions, or Social Security benefits. You may also get less if someone pays your household expenses or if you live with a spouse and he or she has income.

You may be able to get SSI if your resources are worth $2,000 or less. A couple may be able to get SSI if they have resources worth $3,000 or less.

The Social Security Retirement benefit is a monthly check that replaces part of your income when you reduce your hours or stop working altogether. It may not replace all your income so it's best to identify other ways to pay for your monthly expenses as you age.

Learn how to apply

See if you're eligible

Eligibility is always based on work. Most jobs take Social Security taxes out of your paycheck so you can get a monthly benefit in retirement.

Check your eligibility

Plan for retirement

Estimate your benefit amount, determine when to apply, and explore other factors that may affect your retirement planning.

Many people who are eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) may also be entitled to receive Social Security benefits. In fact, the application for SSI benefits is also an application for Social Security benefits. We often need to obtain additional information from the person before we can award Social Security benefits.

The following sections provide information on who may be entitled to Social Security benefits.

TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AS A WORKER YOU MUST BE:

    How do you qualify for social security benefits
    Age 62 or older, or disabled or blind; and

    How do you qualify for social security benefits
    "Insured" by having enough work credits.

For applications filed December 1, 1996, or later, you must either be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present alien in order to receive monthly Social Security benefits.

HOW MUCH WORK DO YOU NEED TO BE"INSURED"?

We measure work in "work credits".  You can earn up to four work credits per year based on your annual earnings.  The amount of earnings required for a work credit increases each year as general wage levels rise.

To be eligible for most types of benefits (such as benefits based on blindness or retirement), you must have earned an average of one work credit for each calendar year between age 21 and the year in which you reach age 62 or become disabled or blind, up to a maximum of 40 credits. A minimum of six work credits is required, regardless of age.

To qualify for Social Security benefits based on a disability other than blindness, you must have worked long enough and recently enough under Social Security's rules. The number of work credits you need for disability benefits depends on your age when you became disabled. You generally need 20 work credits earned in the last 10 years ending with the year you become disabled. However, younger workers may qualify with fewer credits.

The rules are as follows:

    How do you qualify for social security benefits
    Before age 24 –– You may qualify if you have six work credits earned in the three–year period ending when your disability starts.

    How do you qualify for social security benefits
    Age 24 to 31 –– You may qualify if you have credit for having worked half the time between age 21 and the time you become disabled.

    EXAMPLE: If at age 27 you become disabled, you would need 12 work credits in the past six years (between age 21 and age 27).

    How do you qualify for social security benefits
    Age 31 and older –– In general, you will need to have the number of work credits shown in the chart below. You must have earned at least 20 of the credits in the 10 years immediately before you become disabled.

Born After 1929
Become Disabled
at AgeWork Credits
Needed31 through 422044224624482650285230543256345836603862 or older40

WHO CAN RECEIVE BENEFITS ON YOUR EARNINGS RECORD?

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. However, if they file an application December 1, 1996 or later, they must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully present alien. The following information describes family members who may qualify for benefits on your work record.

If you are receiving retirement or disability benefits, your spouse may qualify if he or she is:

    How do you qualify for social security benefits
    age 62 and over; or

    How do you qualify for social security benefits
    divorced from you, age 62 or older, and was married to you for at least 10 years prior to your divorce; or

    How do you qualify for social security benefits
    under age 62 and caring for a child (under age 16 or disabled prior to age 22) who is entitled to benefits on your work record.

If you are age 62 or over and have enough work credits to receive Social Security benefits, but have not filed a claim, your divorced spouse may qualify for benefits, if he or she was married to you for at least 10 years prior to the divorce, and has been finally divorced from you for at least 2 years.

Your surviving spouse (widow or widower) may qualify if he or she is:

    How do you qualify for social security benefits
    age 60 or older; or

    How do you qualify for social security benefits
    age 50 or older and disabled; or

    How do you qualify for social security benefits
    divorced from you, age 60 or older (age 50 if disabled), and was married to you for at least 10 years prior to your divorce; or

    How do you qualify for social security benefits
    under age 60 and caring for your child (under age 16 or disabled prior to age 22) and who is entitled to child's benefits; or

    How do you qualify for social security benefits
    divorced from you, under age 60 and caring for his or her child (under age 16 or disabled prior to age 22) who is entitled to benefits on your record.

A dependent parent(s), age 62 or older, of a deceased worker may qualify for benefits based on the worker’s record.

What determines what you get for Social Security?

Social Security benefits are typically computed using "average indexed monthly earnings." This average summarizes up to 35 years of a worker's indexed earnings. We apply a formula to this average to compute the primary insurance amount (PIA). The PIA is the basis for the benefits that are paid to an individual.

What is the lowest Social Security payment?

For 2022, the special minimum benefit starts at $45.50 for someone with 11 years of coverage and goes to $950.80 for workers with 30 years of coverage. A financial advisor can help you plan your retirement taking into account your Social Security benefits.

Is it better to take Social Security at 62 or 67?

You can start receiving your Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62. However, you are entitled to full benefits when you reach your full retirement age. If you delay taking your benefits from your full retirement age up to age 70, your benefit amount will increase.