Social Security goes to workers, their family members, and people with disabilities — not everyone who needs money

Social Security is not a needs-based program. You do not receive it because you are poor or because you need help. You receive it because you or a family member paid into the system through payroll taxes, or because you meet specific criteria set by federal law. The program has three main categories: retirement benefits for workers 62 and older, disability benefits for workers under full retirement age who cannot work, and survivor benefits for family members of deceased workers.

may be able to access depends on work history, age, family relationship, or disability status — not on income or assets. A millionaire can collect Social Security. A person living in poverty may not be able to. Understanding which category you might fall into is the first step to knowing whether Social Security is available to you.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters) to receive retirement or disability benefits on your own record.
  • Family members — spouses, ex-spouses, children, and parents — can receive benefits based on a worker's record even if they never worked.
  • Disability benefits require a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death, verified by the Social Security Administration.
  • Survivor benefits go to spouses, ex-spouses, children, and dependent parents of a worker who has died, regardless of how long the worker paid into the system.
  • You can begin retirement benefits as early as 62, but the monthly payment is permanently reduced if you claim before your full retirement age.

Workers who paid into Social Security for 10 years

To receive retirement benefits on your own work record, you must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 40 quarters — roughly 10 years. The quarters do not have to be consecutive. If you worked part-time for 20 years, you likely have 40 quarters. If you worked full-time for 10 years, you have 40 quarters. Self-employed people count the same way: if you paid self-employment tax, those years count.

Your benefit amount depends on how much you earned during your working years, not on how much you need now. The Social Security Administration calculates your benefit using your 35 highest-earning years. If you worked fewer than 35 years, they count zeros for the missing years, which lowers your benefit. You can view your earnings record and estimated benefit amount by creating an account at ssa.gov.

You can claim retirement benefits as early as age 62, but your monthly payment will be permanently lower than if you wait. If you claim at 62 and your full retirement age is 67, your benefit is roughly 30 percent smaller for life. If you wait until 70, your benefit is roughly 24 percent larger than at full retirement age. Full retirement age ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year.

Family members who never worked or worked less than 10 years

A spouse, ex-spouse, child, or parent can receive benefits based on a worker's Social Security record even if they never worked or did not pay into the system long enough. These are called family benefits, and they do not reduce the worker's benefit amount.

A current spouse can claim at 62 (with a reduced benefit) or at full retirement age (for a full benefit). An ex-spouse can claim at 62 if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and the ex-spouse is not remarried. A child can receive benefits until age 18 (or 19 if still in high school full-time). A disabled child can receive benefits for life if the disability began before age 22. A parent age 62 or older can receive benefits if the worker is deceased and the parent was dependent on the worker for at least half of their living expenses.

The total amount paid to all family members on one worker's record has a limit, called the family maximum. This is usually 150 to 180 percent of what the worker would receive. If multiple family members claim, the Social Security Administration divides the family maximum among them, which may reduce each person's individual benefit.

Workers with disabilities who cannot work

You can receive disability benefits before retirement age if you have a medical condition that prevents you from working and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You do not have to be completely unable to work — you must be unable to do substantial work, which the Social Security Administration defines as earning more than a certain monthly amount (currently around $1,550, though this changes yearly).

To receive disability benefits, you must also have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain number of quarters. The number required depends on your age. If you are under 24, you may need only 6 quarters of work in the past 3 years. If you are 24 to 31, you generally need 8 quarters in the past 6 years. If you are 31 or older, you generally need 20 quarters in the past 10 years. The exact rules vary, so contact the Social Security Administration to learn what applies to you.

The Social Security Administration does not take your word for your disability. You must provide medical evidence — test results, doctor's notes, hospital records, imaging, or other documentation that shows your condition and how it limits your ability to work. The review process typically takes 3 to 6 months. If you are denied, you can request reconsideration, then a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Survivors of a deceased worker

When a worker dies, their family members may receive survivor benefits. These include the worker's spouse (at any age if caring for a child under 16, or at 60 if not), an ex-spouse (if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and the ex-spouse is at least 60), children (until 18, or 19 if in high school full-time), disabled adult children (if the disability began before age 22), and dependent parents age 62 or older.

Survivor benefits do not require the worker to have paid into Social Security for 10 years. A worker who dies after paying for only 6 quarters (1.5 years) may still leave behind may be able to access survivors. The total amount paid to all survivors is limited to the family maximum, usually 150 to 180 percent of what the worker would have received at full retirement age.

To claim survivor benefits, contact the Social Security Administration with the worker's death certificate and proof of your relationship to the worker. The Social Security Administration will identify all potential survivors and explain what each person may receive.

People who worked outside the United States

If you worked in another country and paid into that country's social security system, you may still be able to receive U.S. Social Security benefits, or a combination of benefits from both countries. The United States has social security agreements with over 30 countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and others.

Under these agreements, work you did in the other country can count toward the 40 quarters you need for U.S. benefits. You do not need to have worked only in the United States. If you worked in multiple countries, the Social Security Administration can combine your work history to see if you meet the requirement.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may still receive benefits if you are a legal permanent resident or meet other criteria. Non-citizens who live outside the United States face additional restrictions on receiving benefits, so contact the Social Security Administration directly if this applies to you.

Government workers and railroad employees

Some government employees and railroad workers are covered by different pension systems and do not pay Social Security taxes. If you worked for a federal, state, or local government and did not pay Social Security taxes, you generally cannot receive Social Security benefits on your own work record. However, you may still receive family or survivor benefits based on a spouse's or parent's Social Security record.

Railroad employees are covered by the Railroad Retirement Board, not Social Security. If you worked for a railroad, contact the Railroad Retirement Board to learn about your benefits. Some railroad workers who also worked in jobs covered by Social Security may be able to receive both.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive Social Security if I never worked?

You cannot receive benefits on your own record, but you may receive family or survivor benefits if you are a spouse, ex-spouse, child, or parent of someone who worked and paid into Social Security. Contact the Social Security Administration to learn if you may have access to based on a family member's record.

What if I worked for only 5 years?

You do not have enough quarters to receive retirement or disability benefits on your own record. However, if you are a family member of someone who worked 10 years or more, you may receive family benefits. If the worker has died, you may receive survivor benefits even if they worked fewer than 10 years.

Do I lose my benefits if I earn too much money?

If you claim retirement benefits before your full retirement age and earn above a certain amount (currently around $23,400 yearly, though this changes), the Social Security Administration will reduce your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above that limit. Once you reach full retirement age, there is no earnings limit.

Can I receive benefits if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes, if you are a legal permanent resident or meet other criteria. Non-citizens who live outside the United States face restrictions. Contact the Social Security Administration with your immigration status to learn what you may receive.

What happens if I was married more than once?

You can receive family benefits based on any ex-spouse's record if each marriage lasted at least 10 years and you are not currently married. You do not have to choose one ex-spouse; the Social Security Administration will pay you based on whichever record gives you the highest benefit.