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How You Earn CreditsSSA Publication No. 05-10072, February 2004, ICN 457510 [View .pdf ] (En Espaņol) |
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How You Earn Credits
The credits are based on the amount of your earnings. We use your work history to determine your eligibility for retirement or disability benefits or your family's eligibility for survivors benefits when you die. In 2004, you receive one credit for each $900 of earnings, up to the maximum of four credits per year. Each year the amount of earnings needed for credits goes up slightly as average earnings levels increase. The credits you earn remain on your Social Security record even if you change jobs or have no earnings for a while. |
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Special rules for some jobsSpecial rules for earning Social Security coverage apply to certain types of work. If you are self-employed, you earn Social Security credits the same way employees do (one credit for each $900 in net earnings, but no more than four credits per year). Special rules apply if you have net annual earnings of less than $400. For more information, call us for a free copy of the publication, If You Are Self-Employed (Publication No. 05-10022). If you are in the military, you earn Social Security credits the same way civilian employees do. You also may get additional earnings credits under certain conditions. For more information, call us for a free copy of the publication, Military Service And Social Security (Publication No. 05-10017). We also have special rules about how you earn credits for other kinds of work. Some of these jobs are—
Call us if you have a question about how you earn credits in your job. |
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How long do you have to work to qualify for Social Security?The number of credits you need to be eligible for benefits depends on your age and the type of benefit. Retirement benefitsAnyone born in 1929 or later needs 10 years of work (40 credits) to be eligible for retirement benefits. People born before 1929 need fewer years of work. Disability benefitsHow many credits you need for disability benefits depends on how old you are when you become disabled.
Survivors benefitsCertain family members of a deceased worker may be able to get survivors benefits, even though the deceased worker did not work long enough to qualify for retirement benefits. Dependent children may get survivors benefits if the deceased person had 1½ years of work (6 credits) in the three years before his or her death. Their benefits could continue until they reach age 18 (or age 19 if they are attending an elementary or secondary school full time). A widow or widower may be able to get benefits. Contact us if you need more information about your family’s situation. MedicareThe Social Security credits you earn also count toward eligibility for Medicare when you reach age 65. You may be eligible for Medicare at an earlier age if you get disability benefits for 24 months or more. Your dependents or survivors also may be eligible for Medicare at age 65 or earlier if they are disabled. People who have permanent kidney failure and need kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant may be eligible for Medicare at any age. If you would like to have more information about Medicare, call us and ask for the publication, Medicare (Publication No. 05-10043). |
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Make sure your records are accurateEach year your employer sends a copy of your W-2 (Wage and Tax Statement) to Social Security. Social Security compares your name and Social Security number on the W-2 with our records. When we find your name and number, your earnings shown on the W-2 are recorded on your lifelong earnings record. Your lifelong earnings record is what we use to figure whether you can get future benefits and the benefit amount. It is critical that your name and Social Security number on your Social Security card agree with your employer’s payroll records and W-2. If they do not agree, your employer may get a letter from Social Security. This letter does not mean that your employer should change your job, lay you off, fire you or take other action against you. You need to correct the error. It is up to you to make sure both records are correct. If your Social Security card is not correct, contact any Social Security office. Tell your employer if your name and Social Security number are incorrect on the employer’s record. |
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Contacting Social SecurityFor more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov or call toll-free 1-800-772-1213 (for the deaf or hard of hearing, call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778). We can answer specific questions and provide information by automated phone service 24 hours a day. We treat all calls confidentially. We also want to make sure you receive
accurate and courteous service. That is why we have a second Social Security
representative monitor some telephone calls. |
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