What jobs don't collect Social Security?

Jobs that don't collect Social Security typically involve certain state/local government employees (with pensions), federal workers hired before 1984, some railroad employees, religious objectors, certain international students/foreign government workers, and children working for parents, often because they're in alternative pension systems or specific visa/religious statuses, though rules vary and some exemptions require specific forms like Form 4029.

What jobs are exempt from Social Security?

Most American workers are required to pay Social Security payroll taxes, but there are some notable exemptions.

• Student workers. ...
• Certain religious groups. ...
• State and local government employees. ...
• Foreign government employees. ...
• People with income limitations.

Who doesn't get Social Security?

People who don't get Social Security generally haven't worked enough (40 credits/10 years), are certain government/railroad employees in separate pension systems, some self-employed individuals without paying in, certain immigrants with short U.S. work histories, or those who worked for employers exempt from paying into Social Security, like some state/local government workers. 

Which workers don't pay Social Security?

These include public workers who participate in a government pension plan comparable to Social Security. In addition, federal workers, including members of Congress, who have been serving consistently since before 1984 are covered under another retirement plan, so they're also exempt from Social Security taxes.

Which US employees do not receive social security benefits?

U.S. employees who generally don't receive Social Security benefits include certain state and local government workers (teachers, police, firefighters) with alternative pension plans, some older federal employees (pre-1984 CSRS), and railroad workers on the Railroad Retirement system, as well as some low-earning self-employed, domestic, or seasonal farm workers, or those working for religious groups with conscientious objections. These groups often have their own robust pension systems, like public pensions or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), replacing Social Security for them. 

Working while Receiving Social Security

Do people who have never worked collect 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. 

Why are some jobs not covered by Social Security?

The Social Security Act of 1935 excluded all federal, state, and local government employees from coverage because of constitutional ambiguity over the federal government's authority to impose Federal Insurance Contributions Act payroll taxes on public employers and because these employees were already covered by ...

Do police officers get Social Security?

As a result of the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 that passed into law in January 2025, some police officers, firefighters, teachers and other public workers can now collect both pension and Social Security payments. They may even be entitled to payments backdated to January 2024.

Does everyone get social security benefits?

No, not everyone gets Social Security benefits, as eligibility requires earning sufficient work credits (typically 40 credits, or about 10 years of work) by paying Social Security taxes, with exceptions for certain workers like some government employees or undocumented immigrants, though many people do receive benefits through retirement, disability, or survivor programs. 

Who are the never beneficiaries of Social Security?

Population Profiles

About 3.3 percent of the total population aged 60 or older never receive Social Security benefits. Late-arriving immigrants and infrequent workers comprise 88 percent of never beneficiaries. Never beneficiaries have a higher poverty rate than current and future beneficiaries.

Why would someone not claim Social Security?

Ninety-five percent of never-beneficiaries are individuals whose earnings histories are insufficient to qualify for benefits. Late-arriving immigrants and infrequent workers comprise the vast majority of these insufficient earners.

What government jobs are not covered by Social Security?

This includes approximately 40 percent of public school teachers and over two-thirds of firefighters, police officers, and other first responders. Every state has groups of public employees that do not participate in Social Security.

How many years do you need to work to get Social Security?

To qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, you generally need 10 years of work (40 credits), earned by paying Social Security taxes, and must be at least 62 years old. While 10 years gets you eligible, your benefit amount is based on your highest 35 years of earnings, so fewer years will result in lower payments. 

How much Social Security will I get if I make $60,000 a year?

If you consistently earn $60,000 annually over your career, you could receive roughly $2,300 to over $2,600 per month at your Full Retirement Age (FRA), depending on the year you retire and the exact formula used (around $2,311 using 2025 bend points for an AIME of $5,000), but this can vary, with lower amounts if you claim early and higher if you delay, with official estimates from the SSA Social Security Administration (SSA) being most accurate. 

How much an hour is $70,000 a year after taxes?

Quick Answer: $33.65 Per Hour

A $70,000 annual salary equals $33.65 per hour in California before taxes. After federal and state deductions, your take-home pay ranges from $43,500 to $52,000 annually ($3,625-$4,333 monthly).

Why do government employees not collect Social Security?

The Social Security Act of 1935 excluded state and local government employees from Social Security coverage because of constitutional ambiguity over the federal government's authority to impose payroll taxes on public-sector employers and because these employees were already covered by DB pensions (Nuschler 2021).

Who cannot claim Social Security?

Not all U.S. workers qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. You can't collect Social Security in retirement if you haven't worked enough to accrue 40 credits, which takes approximately 10 years. Certain types of government workers may not be eligible, including some railroad employees.

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 percentage of people never collect their Social Security?

While nearly everyone expects to get Social Security, about 3-4% of the older U.S. population (around 2.6-3.3 million people) never actually receive benefits, primarily due to insufficient work history in covered jobs, late immigration, or being government employees not covered by Social Security, leading to much higher poverty rates for this group.
 

What professions don't pay Social Security?

Jobs not covered by Social Security typically involve state/local government (teachers, police, firefighters), certain federal employees (pre-1984), railroad workers, and some religious/foreign workers, where you don't pay FICA taxes but often get a separate pension, which historically triggered the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) or Government Pension Offset (GPO) reducing your SS benefits, though recent law changes (2024/2025) are altering WEP/GPO impacts. These jobs don't earn Social Security credits, so understanding the new rules is crucial for your overall retirement, notes the Social Security Administration. 

Why do firefighters not get Social Security?

To qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, firefighters must have worked and paid Social Security taxes for a minimum of 40 quarters, which equals ten years of work. This requirement ensures that only those who have contributed to the system can access its benefits.

How does someone 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. 

What jobs don't ask for Social Security?

Jobs that often don't ask for a Social Security Number (SSN) upfront include freelance/gig work (writing, design, pet sitting), cash-paying local services (cleaning, yard work, handyman), some volunteer roles, certain student/government jobs, and roles requiring only 1099/independent contractor setups, though most formal employment eventually requires an SSN for tax and legal reasons. 

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

4 Ways You Can Lose Your Social Security Benefits

• You Forfeit up to 30% of Your Benefits by Claiming Early. ...
• You'll Get Less If You Claim Early and Earn Too Much Money. ...
• The SSA Suspends Payments If You Go To Jail or Prison. ...
• You Can Lose Some of Your Benefits to Taxes. ...
• Finally, You Can Lose SSDI in a Few Ways.

Which employees don't pay Social Security?

Foreign students and educational professionals in the U.S. on a temporary basis don't have to pay Social Security taxes. Nonresidents working in the U.S. for a foreign government are exempt from paying Social Security taxes on their salaries. Their families and domestic workers can also qualify for the exemption.