Work Credits (Social Security) — Quarters of Coverage
Units of credit earned through taxable employment or self-employment, used to determine eligibility for Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI).
Official source: ssa.gov
<a href="/glossary/quarters-of-coverage">Work Credits</a> (Social Security) are like points you earn by working and paying Social Security taxes. These points help decide if you can get money from Social Security when you retire, if you become disabled, or if your family needs help after you pass away.Most people need to earn 40 credits to get retirement benefits, which usually means working for at least 10 years. Younger people who become disabled might need fewer credits. You can earn up to 4 credits each year. In 2026, you get one credit for every $1,890 you earn (up to four per year). You need to earn $7,560 in a year to get all 4 credits.It's important to know that even if you earn a lot of money in a year, you can still only get a maximum of 4 credits. A common mistake is to think you'll automatically get a certain amount of benefits just because you've worked. The number of credits you have is key, along with how much you earned over your lifetime. You can check how many credits you have by looking at your Social Security statement online at SSA.gov.
In real life
- A person earns work credits by working a job and paying taxes.
- Someone needs a certain number of work credits to get Social Security payments when they retire.
- A worker's family may get Social Security payments if the worker earned enough work credits before they passed away.
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Frequently asked questions about Work Credits (Social Security)
What is Work Credits (Social Security)?+
Units of credit earned through taxable employment or self-employment, used to determine eligibility for Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), and survivor benefits. You earn one credit for each $1,890 in wages or self-employment income (2026 threshold).
Who qualifies for Work Credits (Social Security)?+
Surviving spouses, dependent children, and in some cases dependent parents of veterans or workers who paid into Social Security.
How do I apply for Work Credits (Social Security)?+
Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. There's no cost to apply.
Where can I get help?+
Survivors of veterans should start with the Survivor Benefits Checklist. For Social Security survivor benefits, contact your local SSA office; there's no cost to apply.
Source: ssa.gov