What Happens If You Don’t Have Enough Credits for Social Security?

Social Security is a federal social insurance program providing financial protection to millions of Americans. It functions as a safety net, offering benefits to retirees, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of deceased workers. These benefits are not automatically granted; they are earned through a system of contributions made over a person’s working life. Understanding how these contributions translate into eligibility for future benefits is important for financial planning.

Social Security Credit Requirements

Social Security benefits are earned through what the Social Security Administration (SSA) calls “credits,” also known as “quarters of coverage.” Individuals can earn up to a maximum of four credits each year. In 2025, one Social Security credit is earned for every $1,810 in covered earnings, meaning a person must earn $7,240 to receive the maximum four credits for the year. The specific earnings amount required for a credit adjusts annually to account for changes in average wages.

The number of credits needed to qualify for benefits depends on the type of benefit. For retirement benefits, individuals generally need to be “fully insured,” which typically requires 40 credits, equivalent to 10 years of work. This status ensures eligibility for retirement payments.

Disability benefits have varying credit requirements based on age at the time disability begins. For instance, workers age 31 or older typically need 20 credits earned in the 10 years immediately before becoming disabled. Younger workers may qualify with fewer credits; for example, if disability occurs before age 24, 6 credits earned in the three years prior to disability are sufficient.

Survivor benefits for family members also depend on the deceased worker’s credit history. To be “currently insured,” a worker needs at least 6 credits in the three years before their death. Being “fully insured” allows for a broader range of survivor benefits for spouses and children.

Impact of Not Meeting Credit Requirements

Failing to accumulate enough Social Security credits has direct consequences for benefit eligibility. If an individual does not meet the specified credit thresholds, they generally will not be eligible to receive Social Security benefits based on their own work record. This means that despite years of working and contributing through payroll taxes, no monthly payments will be issued to them directly from Social Security.

For retirement benefits, the absence of the required 40 credits means an individual cannot claim benefits based on their own earnings. This holds true regardless of their age or financial need. Without meeting this “fully insured” status, the system cannot provide retirement income from their contributions.

Similarly, an individual who does not meet the age-dependent credit requirements for disability insured status will not qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Even if they experience a severe disability that prevents them from working, the lack of sufficient work credits will prevent them from receiving these benefits.

The impact extends to family members as well. If a deceased worker did not earn enough Social Security credits, their spouse, children, or other dependents may not be able to claim survivor benefits. Eligibility for survivor benefits is tied to the deceased worker having been either “fully insured” or “currently insured” at the time of death.

Accessing Benefits Without Personal Qualification

Even if an individual does not qualify for Social Security benefits based on their own work record, alternative pathways to financial assistance may exist. Certain family members can be eligible for benefits based on the work record of a spouse, former spouse, or parent who did meet the credit requirements.

A spouse may be eligible for benefits on their living spouse’s record if they are at least 62 years old or are caring for a child under age 16 (or a child with a disability). The spousal benefit can be up to 50% of the working spouse’s full retirement benefit. If the working spouse is deceased, a surviving spouse may receive up to 100% of the deceased’s benefit.

Divorced spouses may also qualify for benefits based on an ex-spouse’s work record under specific conditions. These conditions include a marriage that lasted at least 10 years, being currently unmarried, and being at least 62 years old. If the ex-spouse is eligible for retirement or disability benefits, the divorced spouse can claim up to 50% of that benefit.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is another federal program that provides financial assistance, distinct from Social Security benefits. SSI is a needs-based program for aged (65 or older), blind, and disabled individuals who have limited income and resources. SSI eligibility is not based on work history or Social Security credits; it is funded by general tax revenues. For 2025, individuals must not earn more than $2,019 from work each month and have resources not exceeding $2,000.

Monitoring Your Social Security Credits

It is advisable to regularly monitor your Social Security credits and earnings record to ensure accuracy and plan for future benefits. The primary tool for this is the “my Social Security” online account, which can be created on the official SSA website. This account allows individuals to view their complete earnings history, see estimates of their future retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, and verify that their work record is accurate.

When reviewing the earnings record, it is important to check for any discrepancies or missing earnings. Employers report earnings annually, and while recent earnings may take time to appear, older missing earnings should be investigated. Errors can occur if an employer reported earnings incorrectly, used the wrong name or Social Security number, or failed to report earnings.

If an error is discovered, individuals should contact the Social Security Administration. Corrections can be made online through the “my Social Security” account, by phone, or by submitting Form SSA-7008, “Request For Correction of Earnings Record,” via mail. It is helpful to provide supporting documentation such as W-2 forms, tax returns, or pay stubs to substantiate the claim. While there is a general time limit of three years, three months, and 15 days for correcting earnings records, exceptions exist for certain situations.