What happens if you don t have enough credits for Social Security?

If you don't have enough Social Security credits (usually 40 for retirement), you won't qualify for retirement benefits on your own record; however, credits stay on your record, you might get benefits through a spouse, or qualify for needs-based Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if disabled with low income, as credits aren't the only path to support.

What can I do if I don't have enough credits for Social Security?

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.

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

We use the number of credits you've earned to determine your eligibility for retirement or disability benefits, Medicare, and your family's eligibility for survivors benefits. We cannot pay benefits to you if you don't have enough credits.

Will I get Social Security if I only worked 10 years?

Yes, you can get Social Security retirement benefits if you've worked and paid taxes for 10 years (40 credits) and are at least 62, but the monthly payment will likely be low because benefits are based on your highest 35 years of earnings, with zero years counting as $0. Working only 10 years means 25 years of zeros in the calculation, resulting in a much smaller benefit than someone with a longer, steadier work history, though you still qualify for some amount. 

How long does it take to earn 4 credits for Social Security?

You can work all year to earn four credits ($7,240), or you can earn enough for all four in a much shorter length of time. If you earn four credits a year, then you will earn 40 credits after 10 years of work. Each year the amount of earnings needed to earn one credit goes up slightly as average wages increase.

How to Collect Social Security if You Didn't Earn Enough Credits

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 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. 

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's the lowest amount of Social Security you can get?

The lowest Social Security benefit is through the Special Minimum Benefit, starting around $53.50/month in 2025 for those with 11 years of work, but most low earners get more from the standard calculation, making the actual lowest practical payment depend on your age when claiming (e.g., claiming at 62 significantly reduces even standard benefits) and your specific low earnings history, though truly minimal amounts can be less than $100/month if you claimed very early with low earnings. 

What happens if I don't earn enough credits?

Even if you don't have enough credits, there are options, spousal benefits, need based programs like SSI, buying into Medicare Part A, or earning a few more credits before retirement.

How much does Medicare cost if you don't have enough credits?

If you don't meet that requirement, you can pay a monthly premium for coverage. The amount depends on how long you've worked and paid Social Security taxes. Three months of work count as one “work credit.” In 2025, the standard Medicare Part A premium is $518 if you have fewer than 30 credits.

What are the biggest mistakes people make with Medicare?

The biggest Medicare mistakes involve missing enrollment deadlines, failing to review plans annually, underestimating total costs (premiums, deductibles, copays), not enrolling in a Part D drug plan with Original Medicare, and assuming one-size-fits-all coverage or that Medicare covers everything like long-term care. People often delay enrollment, get locked into old plans without checking for better options, or overlook financial assistance programs, leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses and penalties. 

How many years do 40 credits cover?

As you work and pay taxes, you accumulate Social Security credits. You can earn up to four credits a year. Once you chalk up 40 credits after 10 years of work, you qualify for retirement benefits. The years and the credits don't have to be consecutive.

How do people who never worked get Social Security?

Yes, you can get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) without a work history, as it's a needs-based program for the blind, disabled, or aged with limited income and resources, unlike Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which requires work credits; you just need to meet medical, income, and asset tests, not job-related contributions, according to the SSA and USA.gov. 

How to get 40 credits in Social Security?

To get 40 Social Security credits for retirement, you need to earn a specific amount of income each year for about 10 years, as you can earn a maximum of 4 credits annually, with the needed earnings increasing slightly each year (around $1,890 per credit in 2026). You earn these credits through wages or self-employment income by paying Social Security taxes, and you can check your progress by creating an account on the Social Security Administration's website. 

Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their Social Security?

You qualify for an extra ~$144 on your Social Security check if you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan with a "Part B Giveback" benefit, which refunds some or all of your Medicare Part B premium, appearing as extra cash in your check, but eligibility depends on living in the plan's service area and paying your own Part B premiums. The "144" figure was common when the Part B premium was around that amount, but the actual refund varies by plan and location, potentially exceeding the full premium. 

How many credits are needed to receive Social Security?

You generally need 40 credits (10 years of work) for Social Security retirement benefits, but the number varies for disability/survivors benefits, requiring fewer for younger people, with up to 4 credits earned annually based on earnings. Credits are earned by paying Social Security taxes on wages, and the amount needed for one credit changes yearly (e.g., $1,890 in 2026). 

What benefits are available if you never worked?

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Unlike SSDI, SSI is funded by general tax revenues, not Social Security taxes, meaning that no work history is required for eligibility. The core principle of SSI is to provide a financial safety net for those in significant financial need due to age or disability.

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. 

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.

How to boost your SS check by 24?

The following five planning tips are ones that everyone should know about to increase the size of their Social Security checks.

1. Work at Least the Full 35 Years. ...
2. Max Out Earnings Through Full Retirement Age. ...
3. Delay Benefits. ...
4. Claim Spousal Benefits and Delay Yours. ...
5. Avoid Social Security Tax.

Can I voluntarily pay into Social Security?

It is not possible to pay Social Security taxes voluntarily on work that is not covered for Social Security under the terms of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code.

What is the highest paid monthly Social Security check?

What is the maximum Social Security retirement benefit payable?

• If you retire at full retirement age in 2025, your benefit would be $4,018.
• If you retire at age 62 in 2025, your benefit would be $2,831.
• If you retire at age 70 in 2025, your benefit would be $5,108.

What are the changes coming to Social Security in 2026?

Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8 percent COLA beginning in January 2026. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on December 31, 2025. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).