What Are Work Credits for Social Security?
Understand Social Security work credits: how they're earned, their role in benefit eligibility, and how to track your progress.
Social Security work credits are fundamental units used by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine an individual’s eligibility for various benefits. These credits measure a person’s covered earnings over their working lifetime. Accumulating sufficient work credits is a prerequisite for accessing Social Security retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Understanding how these credits are earned and their role in the system is important for financial planning.
Earning Work Credits
Work credits are accumulated through earnings from employment or self-employment where Social Security taxes are paid. The amount of earnings required to earn one work credit changes annually to adjust for inflation and rising average wages. In 2025, an individual earns one Social Security credit for every $1,810 in covered earnings.
An individual can earn a maximum of four work credits each year. To obtain the maximum four credits for 2025, a person must earn $7,240. These credits remain on an individual’s Social Security record even if they change jobs or have periods of no earnings. Individuals contribute through payroll taxes (FICA) or self-employment taxes (SECA) to earn these credits.
Work Credits and Social Security Benefits
Work credits determine eligibility for Social Security benefits, including retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. For retirement benefits, most individuals born in 1929 or later need 40 work credits, which equates to 10 years of work. These 40 credits accumulate over a person’s working life. While 40 credits make an individual eligible, the total number of credits earned does not directly determine the benefit amount; rather, the benefit amount is based on average earnings over a working career.
For disability benefits, the number of required work credits varies depending on the age at which the disability begins. Individuals aged 31 or older need 20 credits earned within the 10 years immediately before their disability began. Younger workers qualify with fewer credits; for instance, those under age 24 need 6 credits earned in the three years before their disability, while those between ages 24 and 31 need credits for working half the time between age 21 and the onset of disability. Eligibility for disability benefits also requires meeting the Social Security Administration’s definition of a disability.
Survivor benefits are also contingent on the deceased worker’s accumulated work credits. The number of credits needed for family members to be eligible depends on the worker’s age at death; younger workers require fewer credits. A special rule allows benefits for children and a spouse caring for them if the worker had 6 credits (1.5 years of work) in the three years just before their death.
Accessing Your Social Security Earnings Record
Individuals can check their accumulated work credits and earnings record by creating a “my Social Security” account online through the SSA’s official website, ssa.gov. This online account provides secure access to an individual’s Social Security Statement. The statement includes a detailed record of reported earnings, helping verify SSA records match personal tax documents.
The online account also offers estimated future benefits for retirement, disability, and survivor benefits based on the earnings history. Reviewing this record annually helps identify errors or omissions that could impact future benefit calculations. If discrepancies are found, the SSA provides guidance on how to request corrections, often requiring supporting evidence such as W-2 forms or tax returns.