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In future years,
the amount of earnings needed for a credit will rise as earnings
rise. The credits you earn will remain on your Social Security record
even if you change jobs or have a period of no earnings. Self-employed
individuals and military personnel earn credits in the same way
as regular workers.
However, special
rules apply for certain types of work. If you have one of the following
types of jobs, contact your
nearest SSA office or call 1-800-772-1213 for more information:
Domestic Work; Farm Work; Church
or church-controlled organization that is exempt from Social Security
taxes.
Survivors
Benefits
A widow(er)
can qualify for survivors benefits based on the deceased spouse's
work history. The amount of the benefit is based on the deceased
spouse's earnings. The family of a deceased worker may be able to
qualify for survivors benefits even though the deceased worker had
fewer credits than are needed for retirement or disability benefits.
For details, see: Survivors
Benefits.
Please note
that if you receive benefits as a dependent or survivor of the worker,
special requirements may affect your right to receive Social Security
payments while you are outside the U.S. See: Social
Security--Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States.
Before you leave the U.S., read Leaving
the U.S. for
information on Social Security services outside of the country.
For more information
(inside the U.S.), contact your
nearest SSA office or call 1-800-772-1213
Disability
Benefits
Disabled workers
qualify for disability benefits based on their work history, and
the amount of the benefit is based on their earnings. The number
of credits required for Disability benefits depends on the age when
a worker becomes disabled.
If you become
disabled before age 24, you generally need six credits during the
three-year period ending when your disability began. If you are
age 24 through 30 (until the day before your 31st birthday),
you generally need credits for half of the period between age 21
and the time you become disabled. If you are disabled at age 31
or older, the credits you need increase every year. For example,
at age 52 you would need 30 credits. Also, you must have earned
at least 20 of the credits in the 10 years immediately before you
became disabled. For more details, see: Disability
Benefits.
To learn more
about whether you qualify for Social Security Disability Benefits,
visit your
nearest SSA office or call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance. If
you are living overseas, or plan to be, see Leaving
the U.S.
for information on Social Security services outside of the country,
and read Social
Security--Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States
for important benefit information.
Retirement
Benefits
To qualify for
retirement benefits you must have worked for at least 10 years for
a total of 40 credits. (See Frequently
Asked Questions).
You can find out how much you can expect to get in Social Security
retirement benefits based on your own earnings record, by requesting
a Social Security Statement, either online
or by calling toll-free: 1-800-772-1213.
It is a good
idea to apply for benefits three months ahead of your retirement
date so that you start receiving your payments as soon as you retire.
You can apply by calling toll-free 1-800-772-1213. SSA representatives
can make an appointment for your application to be taken over the
telephone or at any convenient Social
Security office. When you apply for retirement benefits, you
will need the following information:
- Social Security
card or record of the number
- Original
birth certificate or a reissued one if it has an official stamp
- Original
marriage certificate if you are signing up on your spouse's record
- Recent W2,
or tax return if you are self-employed
- Military
discharge papers if you had military service
- Proof of
U.S. citizenship or lawful alien status if you were not born in
the U.S.
- Bank account
information for direct deposit of benefits
Once you have
fulfilled all of the requirements, and you have earned the requisite
number of credits, you will start receiving your monthly payments.
For more details, see Retirement
Benefits.
If you are
living overseas, or plan to be, see Leaving
the U.S.
for information on Social Security services outside of the country,
and read Social
Security--Your Payments While You Are Outside The United States
for important benefit information.
For more information
(in the U.S.) on your retirement benefits, contact your
nearest SSA office or call 1-800-772-1213.
The
information provided in this website is not legal advice and should
not be interpreted as legal advice. This website is intended to
provide a basic understanding of this information in summary form.
This information may not be comprehensive, is subject to change,
and may not apply to all individual circumstances. Any information
received here should be confirmed with the appropriate government
agencies or with an attorney, particularly as it relates to your
individual circumstances. Your use of this website indicates your
agreement to be bound by our Terms
of Use.
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