The basic rule: you need work history and to reach a certain age, or meet other conditions

Social Security is not a single program — it is three separate benefit streams, and the rules for each are different. Retirement benefits go to people who worked and paid Social Security taxes for a set number of years, usually starting at age 62 or later. Disability benefits go to working-age people who cannot work due to a medical condition expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. Survivor benefits go to family members of a worker who has died. You do not choose which one you get — your situation determines it.

The common thread across all three: you or a family member must have earned enough work credits by paying Social Security taxes on wages or self-employment income. A work credit is tied to how much you earned in a year, not how many hours you worked. In 2024, you earn one credit for every $1,730 in wages (the amount changes yearly). Most people need 40 credits total to draw retirement or survivor benefits — that is roughly 10 years of work — though disability has different rules.

Key Takeaways

  • Retirement benefits require 40 work credits (roughly 10 years of work history) and you must be at least 62 years old, though waiting until 67 or later increases your monthly payment.
  • Disability benefits do not require you to reach retirement age, but your condition must prevent you from working for at least 12 months, and you still need work credits — usually 20 earned in the last 10 years if you are under 31.
  • Survivor benefits go to your spouse, children, or parents depending on their age and relationship to you, and they are based on your work record even if you never drew benefits yourself.
  • Non-citizens may receive benefits if they have a valid Social Security number and meet the work credit requirement, though some visa types affect may be able to access.
  • You can check your work record and estimated benefits by creating an account at ssa.gov, which shows exactly how many credits you have earned.

Retirement benefits: age and work history requirements

To draw retirement benefits, you must be at least 62 years old and have earned 40 work credits. The Social Security Administration calls 62 the earliest age you can claim, but your monthly payment is permanently reduced if you claim before your full retirement age — which is 66 or 67 depending on your birth year. If you wait until 70, your payment increases by roughly 8 percent per year, so claiming at 70 gives you a much larger monthly check than claiming at 62, even though you receive fewer total payments over your lifetime.

Your payment amount is based on your highest 35 years of earnings. If you worked fewer than 35 years, the Social Security Administration counts the missing years as zero, which lowers your benefit. This is why people who took time out of the workforce — for caregiving, illness, or unemployment — often have lower retirement benefits than people who worked continuously.

Disability benefits: medical condition and work credits

You can draw disability benefits at any 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. The Social Security Administration does not simply take your word for it — you must provide medical evidence from doctors, hospitals, or clinics that shows your condition and how it limits your ability to work. The agency has a list of conditions that automatically may have access to (called the "Compassionate Allowances" list), but most claims require detailed medical records.

Work credit rules for disability are stricter than for retirement. If you are under 24, you need only 6 credits earned in the last 3 years. If you are 24 to 31, you need 20 credits with half earned in the last 10 years. If you are 31 or older, you need 20 credits earned in the last 10 years. The logic is that younger workers have had less time to build a work history, so the rules are easier for them.

The Social Security Administration also runs a program called Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is separate from disability benefits. SSI has no work requirement — it is a needs-based program for people with disabilities, blindness, or age 65 and older who have very low income and resources. SSI rules and payment amounts differ from disability benefits, and you can receive both if you meet the conditions for each.

Survivor benefits: who gets paid after a worker dies

When a worker dies, their family members may receive benefits based on that worker's earnings record, even if the worker never drew Social Security themselves. Widow or widower benefits go to a surviving spouse at age 60 (or 50 if disabled), or at any age if caring for a child under 16. Child benefits go to unmarried children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school full-time). Parent benefits go to a parent age 62 or older if the worker was supporting them.

Each family member receives a separate payment, but there is a family maximum — the total paid to all family members cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of what the worker would have received. If multiple family members draw on the same worker's record, each person's payment is reduced proportionally to stay under the cap.

Non-citizens and immigration status

Non-citizens can receive Social Security benefits if they have a valid Social Security number and meet the work credit requirement. Permanent residents (green card holders) are treated the same as citizens. Temporary visa holders — such as H-1B workers — can earn work credits and draw benefits later if they meet the age or disability requirement, even if they leave the United States.

Undocumented immigrants cannot receive Social Security benefits, though some states have created separate programs. If you are not sure about your immigration status and how it affects your benefits, the Social Security Administration can answer questions confidentially — they do not share information with immigration authorities for the purpose of enforcement.

How to check your work record and see your estimated benefit

The Social Security Administration maintains a record of your earnings and work credits. You can view this record by creating a my Social Security account at ssa.gov. The account shows your earnings history year by year, the number of credits you have earned, and an estimate of your retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. You can create an account using your email address and Social Security number.

If you find an error in your earnings record — for example, wages that were not credited to your account — you can correct it by contacting the Social Security Administration with proof of the earnings (such as a tax return or W-2 form). Errors are more common than many people realize, especially for people who changed names, worked under multiple names, or had employers report wages incorrectly.

Special situations: government pensions and divorced spouses

If you worked for a federal, state, or local government and did not pay Social Security taxes on that job, a rule called the Government Pension Offset may reduce your spouse or survivor benefits. Similarly, the Windfall Elimination Provision may reduce your own retirement or disability benefits if you have a government pension. These rules are complex and affect different people differently depending on when they were born and when they started work.

If you are divorced, you may be able to draw benefits on your ex-spouse's work record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and you are at least 62 years old. You do not need your ex-spouse's permission, and drawing on their record does not reduce their benefits. This is a common option for people whose own work history is shorter or whose ex-spouse earned significantly more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I draw retirement benefits and keep working?

Yes, but if you claim before your full retirement age, your benefits are reduced by $1 for every $2 you earn above a yearly limit (in 2024, the limit is $23,400). Once you reach your full retirement age, you can earn any amount without penalty. This rule encourages people to wait until full retirement age to claim if they plan to keep working.

What happens if I was never told I could draw disability benefits?

You can file a claim at any time. There is no deadline to apply, though benefits are usually paid only back to the month you file (or sometimes back three months if you were already disabled then). If you believe you should have been told about disability benefits earlier, you can discuss this with a Social Security representative when you file.

Do I need a lawyer to apply for disability benefits?

No, you can file on your own at ssa.gov or at your local Social Security office. Many people are approved without a lawyer. However, if your claim is denied and you appeal, some people find it helpful to work with a lawyer or advocate who specializes in Social Security cases. Lawyers are paid only if you win, and their fee is capped by law.

Can I receive Social Security if I never worked in the United States?

No, you must have earned work credits through U.S. employment or self-employment. However, some countries have agreements with the United States that allow work done in those countries to count toward Social Security. If you worked abroad, contact the Social Security Administration to ask whether your work can be credited.

What if I think someone is using my Social Security number fraudulently?

Contact the Social Security Administration immediately at 1-800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov to report it. You should also check your earnings record to see if wages were credited that you did not earn. If fraud is found, the Social Security Administration will correct your record and investigate further.