In the United States, not everyone needs to spend decades working to qualify for Social Security benefits. If you’ve worked for at least 10 years, there’s a good chance you already meet the requirements. The key factor is work credits, which are earned based on your income and payroll taxes.
How Work Credits Work
Unlike what many people believe, Social Security benefits aren’t based on the number of years you worked but rather how much you earned during those years.
In 2025, you earn one credit for every $1,730 in covered earnings. You can earn up to four credits per year, meaning once you earn $6,920 in a year, you’ve maxed out your credits for that year.
Once you accumulate 40 work credits, you become eligible for Social Security benefits. It doesn’t matter if you had gaps between jobs, switched careers, or worked part-time—once you hit the magic number of 40, you’ve met the basic requirement to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits.
How Many Credits You Need for Social Security
To be eligible for Social Security benefits, you need 40 credits. This requirement allows you to tap into the system, though it doesn’t guarantee a large monthly payout. The amount you receive depends on your lifetime earnings, not just whether you’ve earned the 40 credits.
What Happens if You Don’t Reach 40 Credits?
If you fall short of 40 credits, you may not qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. This can happen if you haven’t worked enough years or if you’ve worked jobs that didn’t contribute to Social Security, such as under-the-table or cash-only work. Without credits, you won’t be eligible for a Social Security check.
Checking Your Social Security Credits
You can easily check your current credit status by reviewing your Social Security statement online. This will show how many credits you’ve earned and give you an estimate of what to expect in retirement.
The Importance of 40 Credits
Reaching 40 credits might seem like a modest goal, but it’s crucial for qualifying for a guaranteed source of monthly income during retirement. Depending on your earnings, those benefits could make a significant impact on your financial future.
