How Many Quarters to Collect Social Security?

Social Security offers financial protection and income support during retirement, disability, and for surviving family members. Eligibility for these benefits is directly connected to an individual’s work history and payroll tax contributions.

Defining Quarters of Coverage

A “quarter of coverage” (QC), also known as a Social Security credit, is the fundamental unit used to determine eligibility for Social Security benefits. These credits are earned through taxable earnings from work throughout an individual’s career. The amount of earnings required to earn one QC changes annually to reflect adjustments in the national average wage index.

For 2025, an individual earns one quarter of coverage for each $1,810 in earnings. This means that by earning $7,240 or more in a year, an individual can earn the maximum of four QCs for that year. These credits are not tied to specific calendar quarters, but rather to total annual earnings. Even if an individual earns the full amount needed for four QCs early in the year, they cannot earn more than four credits for that year.

The 40-Quarter Requirement

To be generally eligible for Social Security retirement benefits based on one’s own work record, an individual typically needs to accumulate 40 quarters of coverage. This amounts to 10 years of covered employment. Achieving 40 QCs grants an individual “fully insured” status, which means they are eligible to receive retirement benefits when they reach the appropriate age and apply.

Once 40 quarters of coverage are earned, an individual attains permanent insured status for retirement benefits, regardless of whether they continue working. The specific amount of the retirement benefit is calculated based on an individual’s average indexed monthly earnings over their working career, not solely on the number of quarters. However, the accumulation of the required quarters is a prerequisite for eligibility. Individuals with fewer than 40 QCs generally do not qualify for their own retirement benefits, though they might be eligible for spousal or survivor benefits based on another person’s work record.

Accessing Your Social Security Earnings Record

Understanding how many quarters of coverage you have accumulated is a straightforward process through the Social Security Administration’s online services. The most efficient way to access this information is by creating a “my Social Security” online account. This secure account provides access to your complete earnings record, estimated future benefits, and a tally of your earned quarters of coverage.

To set up an account, visit the official website at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. You will be guided through a secure identity verification process. After successfully creating your account, you can easily navigate to the section detailing your earnings history and the quarters you have earned. Regularly reviewing this record is important to ensure its accuracy. If an online account is not preferred or feasible, you can also request a copy of your Social Security Statement by mail.

Quarters for Other Social Security Benefits

While 40 quarters of coverage are the general standard for retirement benefits, eligibility for other Social Security benefits, such as disability and survivor benefits, involves different quarter requirements. These requirements are tailored to the specific benefit type and the individual’s age or circumstances.

For disability benefits, the number of quarters required often depends on the individual’s age at the time they become disabled. Younger workers typically need fewer QCs than older workers. For instance, individuals aged 31 or older generally need 20 QCs earned in the 10 years immediately before becoming disabled, known as a “recent work” test.

Survivor benefits, paid to eligible family members of a deceased worker, also have varying quarter requirements. The deceased worker generally needs fewer QCs than for retirement, often depending on their age at death. Some survivor benefits may require the worker to have been “currently insured,” meaning they earned at least 6 QCs in the three years immediately preceding their death. Eligibility across Social Security programs is not uniform and varies based on the specific benefit sought.