Who can receive Social Security benefits

Social Security benefits go to people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes, people who are family members of workers, and people with disabilities. The specific requirements depend on which type of benefit you are looking at — retirement, survivor, or disability — and your age and work history.

The most common requirement is that you or a family member must have earned enough work credits. A work credit is based on how much you earned in a year; in 2024, you earn one credit for each $1,730 of wages (this amount changes yearly). Most people need 40 credits total to receive retirement benefits, though younger workers may need fewer credits if they become disabled or die.

If you are a family member of a worker — a spouse, child, or parent — you may be able to receive benefits based on their work record instead of your own, though you must meet age or disability requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • You need 40 work credits to receive retirement benefits, earned by paying Social Security taxes over your working years.
  • Work credits are based on annual earnings; you earn one credit per $1,730 of wages in 2024, and this threshold increases each year.
  • Family members can receive benefits based on a worker's record if they meet age or disability requirements, even if they have no work history themselves.
  • You can check your work record and estimated benefits by creating an account on the Social Security Administration website.

How work credits are earned and tracked

You earn work credits only when you work and pay Social Security taxes. Self-employed people, employees, and household workers can all earn credits, though the rules differ slightly for each group. You can earn a maximum of four credits per year, no matter how much you earn above the threshold.

The Social Security Administration keeps a record of your earnings and credits. You can view your record online by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. Your statement shows how many credits you have earned, your estimated retirement benefit amount, and your estimated disability and survivor benefits. Checking this record periodically helps you catch errors — if your employer failed to report your wages, you can request a correction.

Credits do not expire. Once you earn a credit, it stays on your record permanently, even if you stop working for a period of time.

Age requirements for different benefit types

Retirement benefits can begin as early as age 62, but the amount you receive depends on when you claim. If you claim at 62, your benefit is permanently reduced compared to what you would receive at your full retirement age (which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year). If you delay claiming until age 70, your benefit increases by about 8 percent per year.

Survivor benefits can go to family members of any age if they meet certain conditions. A widow or widower can claim at age 60 (or 50 if disabled). Children can receive benefits until age 19 if they are in high school, or up to age 19 if they became disabled before age 22. A spouse caring for a child under 16 can claim at any age.

Disability benefits have no age requirement — you can receive them at any age if you meet the disability definition and have enough work credits.

The disability definition and medical evidence

Social Security disability is not the same as being unable to work at your current job. The program defines disability as a medical condition that prevents you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You must provide medical evidence — test results, doctor's notes, hospital records, or specialist evaluations — that documents your condition and how it limits your ability to work.

The Social Security Administration does not accept your word alone; they review your medical records and may request additional information from your doctors. In some cases, they send you to a doctor they choose for an examination. The process typically takes several months, and many initial claims are denied. If you are denied, you can request reconsideration or appeal to an administrative law judge.

You do not need to be completely unable to work to receive disability benefits. If your condition prevents you from earning more than a certain amount per month (in 2024, that amount is $1,550 for non-blind individuals), you may still may have access to.

Family member requirements and spousal benefits

A spouse can receive benefits based on a worker's record at age 62 or at any age if caring for a child under 16. The spousal benefit is typically 32 to 50 percent of the worker's full retirement benefit, depending on the spouse's age when claiming. If you are divorced, you may be able to claim on an ex-spouse's record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and you are at least 62 years old.

Children can receive benefits if they are unmarried and under 19 (or 19 if still in high school). Adult children disabled before age 22 can receive benefits for life. Parents of a deceased worker can receive survivor benefits if they were dependent on the worker for at least half their support and are at least 62 years old.

If multiple family members claim on the same worker's record, there is a family maximum — the total amount paid to all family members cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of the worker's benefit. If the total would exceed this limit, each family member's benefit is reduced proportionally.

Earnings limits and work incentives

If you claim retirement benefits before your full retirement age and continue working, your benefits are reduced if your earnings exceed a certain amount. In 2024, benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 earned above $23,400 per year. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no earnings limit — you can work and earn as much as you want without affecting your benefits.

If you receive disability benefits and work, you can earn up to a certain amount (called substantial gainful activity) without losing your benefits. In 2024, that amount is $1,550 per month. Social Security also offers work incentives like the trial work period, which allows you to test your ability to work for nine months without losing benefits, and extended Medicaid coverage if you return to work.

How to check your record and request corrections

The fastest way to review your Social Security record is to create a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. You will need your Social Security number, email address, and a way to verify your identity (usually a phone number or bank account). Once logged in, you can see your earnings history, work credits, and estimated benefit amounts for retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.

If you find an error — a missing year of earnings, incorrect wage amounts, or a name mismatch — you can request a correction through your online account or by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. You will need to provide proof of the correct information, such as a W-2 form or tax return. Corrections can take several weeks to process.

If you do not have internet access or prefer to speak with someone, you can visit a local Social Security office in person or call the main number. Wait times at offices are often long, so calling ahead or scheduling an appointment online is usually faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many work credits do I need if I became disabled before age 24?

If you became disabled before age 24, you generally need only six work credits earned in the three years before you became disabled. The exact requirement depends on your age when disability began. Contact Social Security to confirm your specific situation.

Can I receive benefits if I never worked in the United States?

If you worked in another country, you may still be able to receive benefits if that country has a Social Security agreement with the United States. The agreement allows credits earned in either country to count toward your total. Check the Social Security website for a list of countries with agreements.

What happens to my benefits if I move outside the United States?

You can receive retirement and disability benefits while living outside the U.S., though some countries have restrictions. Survivor benefits for family members may be affected depending on where they live. Contact Social Security before moving to confirm your benefits will continue.

Do I need to report my work credits to my employer?

No. Your employer reports your wages to Social Security automatically through payroll taxes. You do not need to do anything — the credits are added to your record based on what your employer reports.

What if I worked under different names or Social Security numbers?

If you worked under a different name or number, those earnings may not be on your current record. Contact Social Security with proof of the name or number change (such as a marriage certificate or court order) and they can consolidate your earnings history into one record.