Can you get Social Security with less than 40 credits?

Yes, you generally need 40 credits (about 10 years of work) for retirement benefits, but fewer credits can qualify you for disability or survivor benefits, and you can still get spousal benefits on a spouse's record or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). If you're short on retirement credits, you can earn more by working, or if you've worked but don't have 35 years for the benefit calculation, your benefit amount will be lower (zeroes for years with no earnings).


Can you collect Social Security if you haven't worked 40 quarters?

If you do not earn the required 40 credits, you will not be eligible for Social Security retirement benefits. However, there are other options: Supplemental Security Income (SSI): For those who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled and have limited income and resources, SSI may provide financial assistance.

Do you need 40 credits to collect Social Security?

No, you generally cannot get Social Security retirement benefits without 40 credits (about 10 years of work), as this is the standard requirement to be "fully insured" for retirement. However, you might qualify for other types of Social Security benefits, like disability or survivors benefits, which have different credit rules, or you can keep working to earn the needed credits for retirement. 


Can you apply for Social Security if you don't have enough credits?

We cannot pay benefits if you don't have enough credits. In 2025, you receive 1 credit for each $1,810 of earnings, up to the maximum of 4 credits per year.

What is the smallest amount of Social Security you can get?

The smallest Social Security benefit is a Special Minimum Benefit for long-term, low-wage earners, starting at about $53.50 per month in 2025 for someone with the minimum 11 years of work history, but this benefit has largely phased out, with most new retirees receiving more from the standard formula; if you don't qualify for Social Security, you might get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a separate program for the needy. 


Understanding and Earning Your 40 Social Security Credits



Can I receive social security if I only worked 10 years?

Yes, working 10 years (earning 40 credits) generally qualifies you for basic Social Security retirement benefits, allowing you to start collecting as early as age 62, but the benefit amount will be lower because it's based on your highest 35 years of earnings, with zeros for years you worked less, so more work generally increases your benefit. 

What is the lowest Social Security payment for 2025?

The lowest Social Security payment in 2025 depends on if you're getting Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or a retirement benefit; the federal SSI maximum for an individual is $967 monthly, but special minimum retirement benefits for low earners start around $53.50 (with 11 years of work) or higher, depending on years worked, while standard retirement benefits are usually much more. 

What happens if I don't have 40 credits?

What happens if I don't get 40 credits for Social Security? If you don't earn 40 work credits, you won't qualify for your own Social Security retirement benefits. However, you may still be eligible for spousal or survivor benefits based on your spouse's or ex-spouse's work record.


What is one of the biggest mistakes people make regarding Social Security?

Claiming Benefits Too Early

One of the biggest mistakes people make is claiming Social Security benefits as soon as they're eligible, which is at age 62. While getting money sooner can be tempting, claiming early has a significant downside: your monthly benefit will be reduced.

How many years is 40 credit hours equal to in Social Security?

40 Social Security credits equal 10 years of work, as you can earn a maximum of four credits per year based on your earnings, not necessarily calendar years; so, achieving 40 credits typically takes at least a decade of paying into the system to qualify for retirement benefits. 

Can I retire with 20 credits?

How Many Credits Do You Need for Social Security Retirement Benefits? To qualify for retirement benefits in California, most people need 40 credits, which equals about 10 years of work. You can earn a maximum of four credits per year, so if you work steadily, you can meet the requirement in a decade.


Who is not eligible for Social Security?

People not eligible for Social Security include those who haven't worked enough to earn 40 credits, certain non-citizens, government employees in non-covered jobs (like some state/local/federal workers), retirees living in specific countries (e.g., Cuba, North Korea), and individuals with certain criminal statuses like fleeing prosecution. Ineligibility often stems from not paying into the system or falling under specific exclusion rules, even if some taxes were paid. 

Can I get Medicare without 40 credits?

If you have a sufficient work history, you automatically qualify for premium free Part A. If you are approaching retirement and do not have the required 40 credits, you can still enroll in Medicare Part A. However, you will have to pay a monthly premium for the coverage.

Can I buy Social Security credits?

No, you cannot buy Social Security work credits; they are earned exclusively through working and paying Social Security taxes on earnings, with a maximum of four credits per year, each requiring a specific income amount that changes annually (e.g., $1,810 in 2025). Credits are earned when you work in a job or business covered by Social Security and pay FICA taxes, not by voluntarily contributing money. 


What if I never worked can I get Social Security?

Yes, you can get Social Security if you never worked, primarily through Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a needs-based program for low-income elderly, blind, or disabled individuals, or through spousal/survivor benefits if married to or widowed by someone who worked and earned credits, but you generally can't get traditional retirement or disability (SSDI) without your own work history. 

Do stay at home moms get Social Security?

Yes, stay-at-home moms can get Social Security, primarily through spousal benefits (up to 50% of a working spouse's benefit if married 1 year+) or by drawing on their own work record if they have enough credits (40 quarters/10 years) from past jobs, including military service. They might also get disability (SSDI) if disabled and meeting work credit rules, or dependent benefits while caring for a child under 16 or disabled. 

How much do you have to make to get $3,000 a month in Social Security?

To get around $3,000/month in Social Security, you generally need a high earning history, around $100,000-$108,000+ annually over your top 35 years, but waiting to claim until age 70 maximizes this amount, potentially reaching it with lower yearly earnings, say under $70k if you wait long enough, as benefits are based on your highest indexed earnings over 35 years. The exact amount depends heavily on your specific earnings history and the age you start collecting benefits. 


What are the three ways you can lose your Social Security?

You can lose Social Security benefits by working while collecting early, leading to earnings limits; incarceration, which suspends payments; or through garnishment for federal debts like taxes, student loans, or child support, along with other factors like remarriage or changes in disability status. 

What is the number one regret of retirees?

Among the biggest mistakes retirees make is not adjusting their expenses to their new budget in retirement. Those who have worked for many years need to realize that dining out, clothing and entertainment expenses should be reduced because they are no longer earning the same amount of money as they were while working.

Can I get Social Security if I have less than 40 credits?

No, you generally cannot get Social Security retirement benefits without 40 credits (about 10 years of work), as this is the standard requirement to be "fully insured" for retirement. However, you might qualify for other types of Social Security benefits, like disability or survivors benefits, which have different credit rules, or you can keep working to earn the needed credits for retirement. 


What does Suze Orman say about taking Social Security at 62?

Orman explained that you can start Social Security as soon as 62, but that you shouldn't. She said: "Don't settle for a reduced Social Security benefit. If you are in good health, the best financial move you can make is to not claim Social Security before you reach your full retirement age."

Why will some Social Security recipients get two checks in December?

Some Social Security recipients, specifically those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), got two checks in December 2025 because January 1st, New Year's Day, is a federal holiday, causing the January 2026 payment to be moved up to December 31st, resulting in December's payment (Dec 1st) and January's payment (Dec 31st) both landing in December. This is a standard Social Security Administration (SSA) practice for SSI payments, not a bonus, ensuring funds are available before holidays or weekends. 

What is the smallest Social Security check?

The smallest Social Security check comes from the Special Minimum Benefit, which is for long-term, low-wage earners, with amounts varying by years of work, such as around $53.50 monthly for 11 years of coverage in 2025, though the regular benefit calculation usually pays more now; without this special program, there's no fixed lowest check, as it's based on your actual earnings record, according to NerdWallet and SmartAsset. 


What big changes are coming to Social Security in 2026?

Starting January 2026, around 75 million Americans will receive a $56 increase in monthly Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration announced a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the upcoming year, a slight uptick from the 2.5% raise the year before.

Why no SSI payment November?

There was no SSI payment in November 2025 because the first day of the month fell on a Saturday, so the payment was moved to the last business day of October (October 31st). This isn't a missed payment; it's just an early deposit, meaning recipients received two checks in October (one for October and one for November) and two in December (for December and January) to keep payments consistent throughout the year, as the Social Security Administration (SSA) doesn't issue payments on weekends or holidays.