The Basic Rule: Work History and Age

Social Security payments go to people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a certain length of time, then reach a specific age or become unable to work. The program is not based on need — you do not have to be poor to receive it. It is based on your own work record and contributions.

Most people think of Social Security as a retirement program, and it is the largest one. But Social Security also pays benefits to people who have never retired, including children, spouses, and people with disabilities. The common thread is a work history: someone in the household earned enough credits through payroll taxes to open the door.

Key Takeaways

  • You need 40 work credits (roughly 10 years of work) to receive retirement benefits at your full retirement age, which ranges from 66 to 67 depending on your birth year.
  • You can start receiving reduced retirement benefits as early as age 62, but the monthly payment will be permanently lower than if you wait.
  • Spouses and ex-spouses can receive benefits based on someone else's work record, even if they never worked or stopped working years ago.
  • Children under 19 (or 19 if still in high school) can receive benefits based on a parent's or grandparent's work record.
  • People with disabilities can receive benefits before retirement age if they have enough work credits and a condition expected to last at least 12 months.

Retirement Benefits and Your Full Retirement Age

Your full retirement age is when Social Security considers you old enough to receive your full benefit amount. This age is not 65 for everyone — it depends on the year you were born. If you were born in 1943 or later, your full retirement age is between 66 and 67. The Social Security Administration publishes a chart showing the exact age for your birth year.

You do not have to wait until your full retirement age to start receiving payments. You can start as early as age 62, but your monthly benefit will be permanently reduced — typically by 25 to 30 percent, depending on how many years early you claim. If you wait past your full retirement age, your benefit increases by about 8 percent per year until age 70, when it stops growing.

To receive retirement benefits, you need 40 work credits. You earn one credit for each quarter (three-month period) that you work and pay Social Security taxes, up to four credits per year. This means you need roughly 10 years of work history. The amount you earned in those years also matters — you must have earned at least a minimum amount in each quarter to receive credit for it.

Benefits for Spouses and Ex-Spouses

A spouse can receive benefits based on the other spouse's work record, even if the spouse has never worked or has not worked in decades. The spouse must be at least 62 years old, or any age if caring for a child under 16. The benefit is typically up to 50 percent of what the working spouse receives at their full retirement age.

An ex-spouse can also receive benefits on an ex's work record if the marriage lasted at least 10 years, the ex-spouse is at least 62, and the ex-spouse is not currently married. The ex does not need permission from the ex-spouse to claim, and claiming does not reduce the ex-spouse's own benefit. If multiple ex-spouses are may be able to access, each can receive a separate benefit.

Benefits for Children and Grandchildren

A child can receive benefits based on a parent's work record if the parent is retired, disabled, or deceased. The child must be under 19 (or 19 if still in high school full-time). A grandchild can also receive benefits if the grandparent is the primary wage earner and the grandchild's parents are deceased or disabled.

Each child typically receives up to 50 percent of what the parent receives at their full retirement age. However, there is a family maximum: the total amount paid to all family members on one person's record cannot exceed 150 to 180 percent of that person's benefit. If multiple children are may be able to access, the payment is split among them, and each child's share may be less than 50 percent.

Disability Benefits Before Retirement Age

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays benefits to people under full retirement age who have a medical condition that prevents them from working. The condition must be expected to last at least 12 months or result in death. You do not have to be completely unable to work — the program looks at whether you can do any substantial work, considering your age, education, and work experience.

To receive disability benefits, you need work credits. The number required depends on your age: younger workers need fewer credits. For example, someone age 24 needs only 6 credits (roughly 1.5 years of work), while someone age 31 needs 20 credits (roughly 5 years of work). You must have earned most of those credits in the 10 years before you became disabled.

Family members can also receive benefits on a disabled worker's record. A spouse of any age can receive benefits if caring for a child under 16. An ex-spouse can receive benefits if the marriage lasted at least 10 years and the ex-spouse is at least 62. Children can receive benefits under the same rules as with a retired parent.

Survivor Benefits When Someone Dies

When a worker dies, their family members may receive survivor benefits based on that person's work record. A widow or widower can receive benefits at full retirement age, or reduced benefits as early as age 60 (age 50 if disabled). A widow or widower of any age can receive benefits if caring for a child under 16.

Children of the deceased can receive benefits if they are under 19 (or 19 if in high school). An ex-spouse can receive survivor benefits under the same rules as retirement benefits — the marriage must have lasted 10 years, and the ex-spouse must be at least 60 (or 50 if disabled). Parents of the deceased can also receive benefits if they were dependent on the worker for at least half their support and are at least 62.

Government Employees and Special Situations

Some government employees, particularly those hired before a certain date, are covered by a different pension system and do not pay Social Security taxes. These workers may not be covered by Social Security, or may have reduced benefits. Railroad employees are covered by a separate railroad retirement system instead of Social Security.

Non-citizens can receive Social Security benefits if they meet the work requirement and other conditions, but they must be in the United States legally. Some non-citizens face restrictions on how long they can receive benefits if they leave the country. The rules vary by citizenship status and country of origin.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I receive Social Security if I never worked?

No, you cannot receive retirement or disability benefits on your own record without work credits. However, you may receive benefits as a spouse, ex-spouse, child, or survivor based on someone else's work record. A spouse or ex-spouse needs no work history of their own.

What happens if I work while receiving Social Security?

If you are under your full retirement age and earn more than a certain amount per year, Social Security will reduce your benefit by $1 for every $2 you earn above the limit. Once you reach your full retirement age, there is no limit on how much you can earn. The earnings limit changes each year.

Can I receive benefits from more than one person's work record?

In most cases, no. If you are may be able to access for benefits on your own record and on someone else's record (such as a spouse's), Social Security will pay you the higher of the two amounts, not both. However, family members can each receive separate benefits based on the same worker's record.

Do I lose my benefits if I move out of the country?

Citizens can receive benefits anywhere in the world. Non-citizens may face restrictions depending on their country of residence and citizenship status. Some countries have agreements with the United States that allow benefits to continue; others do not. Contact Social Security before moving internationally.

How do I know if I have enough work credits?

You can create a my Social Security account on the Social Security Administration website to view your earnings record and see how many credits you have earned. The account also shows an estimate of your future benefit amount at different ages. You can also call Social Security or visit a local office to request this information.