How to Earn Social Security Credits

Social Security credits are foundational for eligibility to various Social Security benefits. These credits represent units of work and earnings accumulated over a person’s working life. Understanding how these credits are earned is fundamental to comprehending the Social Security system. They are the gateway to future financial support, determining access to retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Without sufficient credits, individuals may be ineligible for these programs, regardless of financial need.

Defining Social Security Credits and Earning Thresholds

A Social Security credit acts as a unit of measurement that quantifies an individual’s work and earnings history within the Social Security system. These credits are acquired by earning a specific amount of money from employment or self-employment income, which is then reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The earnings threshold required to earn one credit is adjusted annually to account for changes in average wages. For 2025, an individual earns one Social Security credit for every $1,810 in covered earnings.

Individuals can earn a maximum of four Social Security credits each year, regardless of how much they earn beyond the annual maximum. To achieve the maximum four credits in 2025, an individual must earn a total of $7,240 in covered earnings. The process of earning credits is directly linked to the payment of Social Security taxes, also known as Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes for employees and Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA) taxes for self-employed individuals.

Earnings that count towards Social Security credits include wages from employment and net earnings from self-employment. These are the earnings subject to FICA or SECA taxes. Conversely, certain types of income do not count towards earning Social Security credits. This includes investment income, interest, dividends, pensions, capital gains, and unemployment benefits, as these are not considered wages or self-employment earnings subject to Social Security taxes. Credits accumulated remain on an individual’s Social Security record indefinitely, even if there are periods of unemployment or career changes.

Credit Requirements for Social Security Benefits

The number of credits required for Social Security benefits varies depending on the specific benefit and the claimant’s age or the deceased worker’s age. While credits establish eligibility, they do not determine the benefit amount, which is based on an individual’s average earnings history.

For retirement benefits, an individual needs 40 Social Security credits to be considered “fully insured.” Since a maximum of four credits can be earned per year, this translates to 10 years of work. These credits do not need to be earned consecutively; they accumulate throughout an individual’s working lifetime.

Disability benefits have varying credit requirements based on the age at which the disability began, incorporating both a “recent work” test and a “duration of work” test. For instance, individuals who become disabled before age 24 need 6 credits earned within the 3-year period ending when their disability started. If disability occurs between ages 24 and 31, individuals need credits for working half the time between age 21 and the onset of disability. For those aged 31 or older, at least 20 credits are required within the 10-year period immediately preceding the disability.

Survivor benefits also depend on the deceased worker’s credit history, with the number of credits needed tied to their age at death. While 40 credits provide full eligibility for survivors, a special rule allows benefits for a spouse caring for children and the children themselves if the deceased worker had 6 credits in the 3 years just before their death. This “currently insured” status can provide immediate, though potentially limited, protection for a worker’s family even with a shorter work history.

Accessing and Reviewing Your Social Security Earnings Record

Regularly reviewing your Social Security earnings record ensures the accuracy of information used to calculate future benefits. The most convenient way is by creating a personal “my Social Security” account online through the Social Security Administration (SSA) website. To establish an account, individuals need to visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount and create credentials through Login.gov or ID.me. This process involves providing personal information such as your Social Security number, a valid email address, and a U.S. mailing address, followed by identity verification steps.

Once logged into your “my Social Security” account, you can access your Social Security Statement. This statement provides a detailed record of your earnings history by year, the number of Social Security credits earned, and estimates of your future benefits for retirement, disability, and survivors. Review this statement annually, particularly in August, as this is when the previous year’s earnings data should be fully processed and reflected.

For individuals who prefer not to use the online service, a Social Security Statement can be requested by mail. This involves printing and completing Form SSA-7004, “Request For Social Security Statement,” and mailing it to the address provided on the form. A paper statement is received within four to six weeks of the request.

Should you discover any errors or missing earnings on your Social Security record, contact the SSA for correction promptly. You can reach the SSA by phone or visit a local Social Security office. To support a claim for correction, provide documentation that verifies your earnings, such as W-2 forms, tax returns (Form 1040), pay stubs, or other official employment records. While a time limit of three years, three months, and 15 days from the end of the taxable year generally applies for most corrections, exceptions exist for specific situations like employer reporting errors. The SSA will investigate the discrepancy, and the correction process can take anywhere from 10 to 90 days, depending on complexity and record availability.