Can You Get Social Security Without Working?

Social Security provides a safety net for millions in the United States. While often understood as a system for retirement income based on work history, its benefits extend beyond personal contributions. Individuals can receive Social Security benefits even without directly earning sufficient work credits through their own employment. This occurs through specific programs designed to support various populations, recognizing that not everyone has a traditional work record or is able to work.

Understanding Social Security Work Credits

Social Security operates on a system of work credits, the fundamental units determining eligibility for most benefits. Credits are earned when an individual works in covered employment and pays Social Security taxes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) defines the earnings required for one work credit, which changes annually. For instance, in 2025, an individual earns one Social Security credit for each $1,890 of earnings, up to a maximum of four credits for the year.

To qualify for retirement benefits, most individuals need 40 work credits, typically 10 years of work. This makes an individual “fully insured,” providing eligibility for retirement benefits and, in some cases, Medicare. The number of credits needed for disability or survivor benefits can vary, often requiring fewer credits for younger workers.

The maximum number of credits an individual can earn in any given year is four, regardless of how high their earnings are. Once an individual earns the threshold amount for four credits within a calendar year, they cannot earn any more credits for that year, even if they continue to work and pay Social Security taxes. These earned credits are permanently recorded under an individual’s Social Security number, forming the basis for their future benefit calculations.

Receiving Benefits Through Another’s Work Record

Individuals without sufficient work credits on their own record may still be eligible for Social Security benefits based on the work record of a spouse, former spouse, or parent. This is a significant pathway for many to receive support without a direct work history. The primary worker whose record is used must have met the necessary work credit requirements for their own benefits.

Spousal Benefits

Spousal benefits are available to current spouses of retired or disabled workers. To qualify, the spouse generally must be at least 62 years old, or caring for the worker’s child who is under age 16 or disabled. The amount of spousal benefits is typically up to 50% of the worker’s full retirement benefit. These benefits do not reduce the amount the primary worker receives.

Divorced Spousal Benefits

Divorced spouses may also qualify for benefits based on their ex-spouse’s work record. Eligibility requires the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the divorced spouse is unmarried, and is at least 62. The ex-spouse must be eligible for Social Security retirement or disability benefits. If the ex-spouse has not yet filed, the divorce must have been final for at least two years. These benefits do not affect the ex-spouse’s benefit amount.

Survivor Benefits

Survivor benefits are extended to family members of a deceased worker who earned enough Social Security credits. Surviving spouses can receive benefits if they are at least 60 years old (or 50 if disabled) or if they are caring for the deceased worker’s child who is under 16 or disabled. Unmarried children may also receive benefits if under 18 (or 19 if a full-time student) or disabled before age 22. In some circumstances, dependent parents aged 62 or older may also qualify for survivor benefits if they were receiving at least half of their support from the deceased worker.

Social Security Disability Benefits

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to individuals who have worked and paid Social Security taxes but are now unable to work due to a severe medical condition. While SSDI generally requires a work history, eligibility hinges on the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity due to a qualifying disability.

Eligibility for SSDI is determined by a “recent work test” and a “duration of work test.” The recent work test requires that a certain number of work credits must have been earned in a specific period just before the disability began. For example, individuals aged 31 or older generally need 20 credits earned in the 10 years immediately before becoming disabled. The duration of work test specifies the total number of credits needed, which varies depending on the individual’s age at the time of disability onset.

Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB)

A significant provision within the disability framework that addresses the “without working” aspect is Childhood Disability Benefits (CDB). An adult who has been disabled since childhood, specifically before age 22, may be eligible for benefits based on a parent’s Social Security earnings record. This applies if the parent is retired, disabled, or deceased. Under CDB, the adult child does not need to have their own work history or work credits to qualify, making it a direct avenue for receiving benefits without personal employment.

The purpose of SSDI is to provide income replacement for those who have contributed to the Social Security system but are no longer able to work due to a disabling condition. The work credit requirements for disability are often less stringent than those for retirement benefits, especially for younger individuals.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a distinct federal program that provides financial assistance to aged, blind, and disabled individuals who have limited income and resources. Unlike Social Security benefits, SSI is funded by general tax revenues, not by Social Security taxes, and it does not require any prior work history or work credits from the recipient. This makes SSI a direct answer to the question of receiving benefits without having worked.

Eligibility for SSI is based on financial need, meaning applicants must meet strict income and resource limits. For 2025, the federal SSI monthly maximum payment is $956 for an individual and $1,435 for an eligible individual with an eligible spouse. These amounts can be reduced by countable income, which includes earned income, unearned income, and in-kind support. Resources, such as cash, bank accounts, and property, are also limited, typically to $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple, though certain assets like a home and one vehicle are usually excluded.

Children with disabilities can also qualify for SSI if their household’s income and resources are limited. The Social Security Administration evaluates the income and resources of parents living in the household to determine a child’s eligibility, a process known as “deeming.”

SSI stands apart from other Social Security programs because its eligibility is solely needs-based, without any connection to an individual’s or their family’s past contributions through payroll taxes. It serves as a safety net for the most vulnerable populations, offering financial aid for basic needs like food and shelter.