What is the lowest Social Security you can draw?

The lowest Social Security payment isn't a fixed dollar amount but depends on work history, with the Special Minimum Benefit providing a higher floor for long-term, low-wage earners, starting around $53.50/month (for 2025/2026 data) with 11 years of work, increasing with more years up to 30. If you haven't worked enough to qualify for this or have very low earnings, your standard benefit could be very small, but you still need 10 years (40 credits) for basic eligibility, with benefits determined by your earnings record.

What is the lowest amount of social security you can get?

The lowest Social Security benefit isn't a single fixed number, but it's very low for those with minimal work history; for 2025, the Special Minimum Benefit starts around $53.50/month for 11 years of work, but most low earners qualify for more under the standard calculation, which can be much higher, like around $1,000+ for 30 years of low work, though this is still much lower than the average benefit. The actual lowest amount depends heavily on your earnings history, age when claiming, and if you qualify for the rare special minimum, but it's generally just a few hundred dollars or less if you barely earned enough to qualify at all. 

What is the minimum amount of years you have to work to get social security?

To qualify for Social Security retirement, you generally need 40 work credits (about 10 years of work), as you earn up to 4 credits yearly; however, the benefit amount depends on your highest 35 years of earnings, so working fewer than 35 years will lower your monthly payment by filling in zeros. For disability, the credit requirements are different and depend on your age when disabled. 

Can I collect social security if I don't have enough credits?

No, you generally can't collect Social Security retirement benefits without the required work credits (usually 40), but you might qualify for other benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), spousal/survivor benefits, or disability benefits with fewer credits, depending on your age and situation, so check your record at ssa.gov to see your status. 

How much do you have to earn to get a quarter of social security?

To earn a Social Security "quarter of coverage" (work credit) in 2025, you need to earn $1,810 in wages or net self-employment income, up to a maximum of four credits (or $7,240) for the entire year, regardless of how quickly you earn it. These credits are based on your total yearly earnings, not literally per calendar quarter, and you need 40 credits (about 10 years of work) for retirement eligibility. 

How To Get The LOWEST Social Security Benefit vs The HIGHEST - 2 Key Reasons

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 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 does someone who has never worked collect 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 long is 40 quarters of work in Social Security?

40 quarters equals 10 years of work for Social Security purposes, as you can earn a maximum of four credits (quarters) per year, and 40 credits (10 years x 4 quarters/year) are needed to qualify for retirement benefits, though these years don't have to be consecutive. 

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 is the lowest SSI payment?

The lowest possible Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment is $1.00 per month, paid when your calculated benefit is more than $0 but less than $1; however, payments are often reduced due to other income, living situations (like living with family), or if you're in a medical facility, potentially dropping to very small amounts like $62/month or less, though the standard federal maximum for an individual in 2025 is $967 monthly before reductions. 

Will I get Social Security if I only worked 5 years?

Yes, you can get Social Security if you worked 5 years (earning 20 credits), but you need 40 credits (about 10 years of work) to qualify for retirement benefits; however, working only 5 years results in a very low benefit because the calculation uses your highest 35 years of earnings, filling in zeroes for years you didn't work, which drastically lowers the amount, though you might get some benefit if you have other credits or qualify for spousal benefits. 

Can two wives collect Social Security from one husband?

Yes, two wives (a current wife and an eligible ex-wife) can potentially collect Social Security benefits from one husband's earnings record, provided each meets separate criteria, like marriage duration and age, and they claim survivor or divorced spouse benefits, with each receiving the higher of their own or the spousal/survivor benefit, without reducing the other's amount. 

What is the lowest Social Security payment in 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 get 40 credits for Social Security?

If you don't get 40 Social Security credits, you won't qualify for retirement or disability benefits based on your own work record, as 40 credits (about 10 years of work) makes you "fully insured," but you might still get benefits through a spouse, qualify for SSI (Supplemental Security Income), or pay premiums for Medicare Part A, notes the Social Security Administration (SSA), Experian and Dr. Bill LaTour. Credits are earned by paying Social Security taxes on earnings, up to four per year, and stay on your record even if you have gaps in employment, say The Motley Fool and ElderLawAnswers. 

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."

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 three ways you can lose your social security benefits?

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. 

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. 

Can I still get state pension if I have never worked?

To receive the full State Pension you must have paid 35 years of NI contributions. If you have never worked, and therefore never paid NI, you may still be eligible for the State Pension if you have received certain state benefits, for example carer's allowance or Universal Credit.

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.

What does Dave Ramsey say about Social Security?

Dave Ramsey views Social Security as a supplement, not a primary retirement income, emphasizing that relying on it is a "dumb" idea; he advocates for claiming benefits as early as 62 if you're debt-free to invest the money for potentially higher returns, while also warning about potential future cuts due to trust fund depletion and urging strong reliance on 401(k)s and IRAs. 

What is happening on March 31, 2025 with Social Security?

At the conclusion of the transition period, on March 31, 2025, SSA will enforce online digital identity proofing and in-person identity proofing. SSA will permit individuals who do not or cannot use the agency's online “my Social Security” services to start their claim for benefits on the telephone.

What is a good pension amount?

A good pension amount replaces 70-80% of your pre-retirement income, meaning if you earned $100k, aim for $70k-$80k annually, but it varies; a comfortable monthly income is often cited around $4,000-$8,000+, depending on lifestyle, location, and other income sources like Social Security, with many financial experts suggesting a total retirement income replacing about 80% of your final salary for stability. 

What are the changes for Social Security in 2025?

The COLA was 2.5 percent in 2025. 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).