What Are Social Security Credits and How Do You Earn Them?

Social Security credits serve as the foundation for eligibility across various benefit programs administered by the Social Security Administration. These credits are units earned through work and paying Social Security taxes, acting as building blocks that determine whether an individual, or their family, can qualify for future financial support.

Earning Social Security Credits

Earning Social Security credits is directly tied to an individual’s taxable earnings from employment or self-employment. For 2025, one Social Security credit is earned for every $1,810 in covered earnings. This specific dollar amount is adjusted annually to account for changes in average wage levels across the country. A maximum of four credits can be earned in any single year, reached once an individual earns $7,240.

Credits are primarily accrued through wages and net earnings from self-employment, as these are the types of income subject to Social Security taxes. Income from sources such as investments, gifts, or loans generally does not count toward earning Social Security credits. The credits earned remain on an individual’s Social Security record permanently, even if there are periods of unemployment or career changes.

Credits Required for Benefits

The number of Social Security credits required to qualify for benefits varies depending on the type of benefit sought. For retirement benefits, most individuals need to accumulate 40 credits, which typically equates to 10 years of work. Earning 40 credits establishes “fully insured” status. These credits do not need to be earned consecutively; they simply accumulate over a person’s working life.

For disability benefits, the credit requirements are more nuanced, depending on the individual’s age at the onset of disability. For example, if a disability begins before age 24, an individual generally needs 6 credits earned in the three-year period immediately preceding the disability. For those aged 24 to 31, the requirement is to have worked for half the time between age 21 and the onset of disability, which translates to a specific number of credits. Individuals aged 31 or older typically need at least 20 credits earned within the 10-year period directly before their disability began.

Survivor benefits also have specific credit requirements, which depend on the deceased worker’s age at death and the relationship of the survivor. While 40 credits generally provide full eligibility for survivors, fewer credits may be sufficient under certain circumstances. For instance, a special rule allows benefits to be paid to a deceased worker’s children and their spouse (if caring for the children) if the worker had earned 6 credits in the three years immediately before their death. Meeting these credit requirements establishes eligibility.

Checking Your Social Security Credits

Individuals can conveniently access and review their earned Social Security credits and earnings history through a “my Social Security” online account. This online portal, managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), provides a secure and personalized way to monitor one’s Social Security record. Within this account, users can view their complete earnings history, see an estimate of their future retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, and verify that their reported earnings are accurate. Regularly checking this information helps ensure that the SSA has a correct record of contributions.

For those who prefer not to use an online account, or are unable to create one, a Social Security Statement can be requested by mail. This involves completing and submitting Form SSA-7004, “Request For Social Security Statement.” The paper statement typically arrives within four to six weeks of the request. This statement contains similar information to the online account, including a detailed record of earnings and estimated benefit amounts, offering an alternative method for individuals to stay informed about their Social Security standing.