Social Security Eligibility: Who Qualifies for Social Security Benefits?
Social Security eligibility is one of the top concerns that retirees have. How and when do you qualify for Social Security? To qualify for Social Security retirement benefits, you must work in a Social Security covered job for at least 10 years. More specifically, you must earn 40 credits (you can earn 4 credits per year) to qualify.
A credit is earned when you earn a minimum dollar amount; in 2013 the minimum amount you needed to earn in order to earn a credit is $1,160. You can earn up to four credits per year, so someone who earns at least $4,640 in 2013 will earn four credits.
You do not have to earn the credits consecutively to qualify. You can earn 10 credits, leave the work force to raise a family, then return later to earn the remaining 30 credits.
Age – How Old Do You Have To Be To Qualify?
You must be at least age 62 to start collecting Social Security retirement benefits. You can start collecting benefits anywhere from age 62 up to age 70.
Do Spouses Qualify For Social Security Benefits, Even If They Haven’t Worked?
Many women (and these days even men) choose to stay at home to raise children instead of working, or to take a leave of absence from their careers, which reduces their ability to qualify for Social Security benefits. Under the spousal benefit, a spouse who has not worked or who has substantially lower earnings can receive up to as much as one-half of the retired worker’s full benefit.
Divorces spouses may also draw Social Security benefits based on their former spouse’s earnings as long as they were married for at least 10 years and they have not remarried. You must be at least 62 before you can apply for benefits based on your ex-spouse’s earnings.
Widows and Children of Retired, Disabled or Deceased Workers
The Social Security eligibility rules for widows is slightly different than for retirees. Widows and widowers can begin receiving Social Security benefits at age 60, or at age 50 if they are disabled.
Some children of disabled, retired, or deceased workers can also receive Social Security benefits until they turn age 18 (or 19 if they are still in high school). For those who were disabled before the age of 22 and whose parents are also disabled, retired, or deceased, those individuals can receive Social Security benefits for as long as they remain disabled.
Government Employees or Employees Who Are Not Covered Under Social Security
Many federal, state and local employees have pension plans that are not covered by Social Security. In other words, they contributed to a pension plan in place of Social Security. These employees may not qualify for Social Security retirement benefits as a result. Even if they have other jobs throughout their career where they did contribute to Social Security, their benefits could be limited under the Windfall provision.
Federal employees who started working for the government after 1984 are under the FERS system and do contribute to Social Security (and therefore qualify for retirement benefits), but employees who started work before 1984 are part of the CSRS system and do not qualify for Social Security retirement benefits.
U.S. Citizens and Resident Aliens
You may be surprised to find out that you do not have to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for Social Security retirement benefits. Resident aliens who pay into the Social Security system may qualify to receive retirement benefits, assuming they earn enough credits and meet the other criteria.
However, my understanding is that non-citizens must live in the U.S. when it’s time to collect benefits in order to actually receive them. While U.S. citizens may live in other countries and still receive benefits, non U.S. citizens must be in residence to receive benefits.
For more information on the Social Security eligibility rules, please visit Factors That May Affect Your Retirement Benefits at www.ssa.gov.
Prakash says
My mother is US citizen and live in the US since 1998. Except year 2006, she worked almost every year and earned more than 10000 USD every year. Now, due to age factor, I don’t want her to work. Where I can find information that she has earned 40 credits till today?
I will appreciate if you could provide me the right source.
Thank you
Prakash
kristine says
Prakash – you can request earnings information by completing Form 7050 Request for Social Security Earnings Information. Once you have her earnings history, you can estimate her Social Security benefits using the calculators on the SSA site.
https://www.ssa.gov/online/ssa-7050.pdf
Kim A says
I was married for 18 years, divorced for 5 years, do I have to be 62 in order to file against my ex’s social security? I am homeless living in a shelter, and have type 2 diabetes with complications, and 3 diagnoses of mental health problems. will you email this to me?
kristine says
Kim – I am sorry to hear about the difficulties you are currently experiencing. In order to collect retirement benefits based on your ex spouse’s earnings (you qualify since you were married for more than 10 years), you will need to be age 62 or older. However, you may qualify for disability benefits based on the health challenges you listed. For more information about Social Security disability benefits please visit https://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/disability.htm or call 1-800-772-1213.
Jesse B says
In December 2011, I will be 66 years old. I have contributed to Social Security all of my adult life. I have far more than the necessary credits. I want Social Security benefits, but I do not want to retire. I will continue working well past age 66. I realize my benefits will be taxed. But, I assume I am eligibile for benefits even if I continue working and earning a salary. I do not work for the government. Am I correct that I do not have to retire to qualify for benefits?
kristine says
Jesse – yes, you are correct. You are allowed to continue working and still receive Social Security benefits. However, if you are under full retirement age, you are limited in the amount you can earn. In 2011, that amount is $14,160. If you are under full retirement age, then you will have to repay $1 for every $2 year earn over that limit. A special rule applies in the year you reach the full retirement age, and then once you actually reach your full retirement age there is no limit on the amount you can earn. For more information on working and receiving Social Security at the same time, please visit https://www.ssa.gov/retire2/whileworking.htm
Minnie says
My daughter is 30 years old and has been receiving social security disability since she was in the eleventh grade. She is still disable and if she gets married can she still receive social security?
kristine says
Minnie – Most likely your daughter’s benefits will not be affected by getting married. In general, if you are receiving Social Security disability benefits under your own work record (meaning you are the disabled worker,) then getting married will not affect your benefit payments. This is the case no matter whether your future spouse works, receives disability benefits, or has no income.
Agnes M says
Hi Kristine,
My husband is 69 and has been collecting Social Security. I am 64 and have 2 more years before I can collect my own Social Security. While I am working full-time can I collect Social Security as a spouse on my husband’s Social Security until the age when I can collect on my own? He is retiring this year and we are looking at ways to add to our income when his paycheck is gone. Thanks for your response.
Karin P says
I am 54 years of age, recently unemployed as Director of a non profit organization. Have been in the work field since the age of 14 drawing income since this age. Do I still not qualify for SS till the age of 62
Mike C says
I am 58 years old just lost my job and considering retiring. Am I eligible to receive any social security benefits if I have earned the required credits. Can I receive these benifits if I move to a different country?
kristine says
Mike. I’m sorry to hear that you lost your job. The earliest you can receive Social Security retirement benefits is age 62. The only way you can receive benefits before then is if you are disabled. Once you are eligible for retirement benefits you can receive them even if you move to another country (assuming you are a U.S. citizen).
kristine says
Karin – The earliest you can collect Social Security retirement benefits is age 62. Unfortunately, the number of years you have been working and/or your current employment status have no affect on when you can start collecting retirement benefits.
kristine says
Thank you for the question Agnes. If you apply for benefits before you reach your full retirement age, you will collect either your own benefit or the spousal benefit, whichever is higher. You do NOT get to choose which benefit you will receive if you apply before full retirement. Since you are working, I’m assuming that your benefit is higher than any spousal benefit you would receive, which means your strategy to collect spousal benefits now and switch to your own benefit later will not work. This is a great strategy to implement once you reach full retirement age, but it’s not an option before then.
Also, if you decide to collect your own benefits while you are still working, you should be aware that you can only earn a certain amount before your benefits are penalized. The income limit for 2013 is $15,120. If you exceed the limit, you will have to repay $1 for every $2 earned over the limit.
Toni S says
I turn 60 in October the 22nd! I am widowed when do I have to apply for my late husbands Ss ?
kristine says
Hi Toni. You can start receiving widow benefits when you turn 60. Generally, for retirement benefits, you want to apply 3 months before you qualify for benefits. I’m not sure if it takes as long to process applications for survivor benefits, but if I were you I would start the application process in late July or early August just to be safe. You can apply for benefits online here: https://ssa.gov/pgm/survivors.htm
sachin says
I am resident alien on h1b visa from India. My 40 credits will complete in Jan 2015. I am wondering if I return to India and then turn 62 after 15 years can I receive the benefits?
kristine says
Good question Sachin. Non-citizens of the United States can collect Social Security benefits (if they have worked enough to qualify), but only if they live in the United States. If you move back to India and you are not a US citizen, then you will not be able to collect Social Security.
Patricia says
I divorced my first husband in 1980 following 14 years of marriage. Married my second husband in 1985. He died in 2005, when I was 61. I started drawing his ss benefits, when I was 64. If my benefits whould be more from my first husband’s ss, would I be eligible to receive those benefits instead.
kristine says
Patricia – Yes, as long as the marriage to your first husband lasted for at least 10 years you can collect spousal benefits either on his record if it would result in a higher amount. You will probably need to show proof of marriage (marriage and divorce certificate), so be prepared to provide that information when you contact Social Security. You can call them at 1-800-772-1213 or you can visit https://ssa.gov/pgm/reach.htm for other ways to reach SS.
Tom W says
My wife has been a resident Alien for over 20 years. She is 65 years old. She only worked for a very short time. She applyed for SS for spousal benefits on my social security I am 71 and been getting SS benefits for five years. We submitted all the paperwork they said was required and Social Security Admin said she had to be a citizen to collect benefits.
Gilberto says
I am a US citizen collecting social security pension since I reached the age of 66, four years ago. I am married to a non-US citizen currently 64 years old. We married 24 years ago. I have moved to the US last year and my wife is now a legal resident of the country. Can she apply for spousal’s benefits? and what requirements must she meet ?.
kristine says
Gilberto – Resident aliens (i.e., non-citizens who live in the United States lawfully) can collect Social Security benefits, but there are certain requirements they must meet. According to the SSA, a resident alien must have resided in the U.S. for at least 5 years, and the person must be (or have been in) a spousal relationship with the person on whose earnings record they are applying for benefits for 5 or more years. If your wife just moved to the US then she will need to wait until she has been here for 5 years before she will qualify for Social Security benefits on your record. I hope this helps… thank you for the question!
kristine says
Tom – Thank you for the question. Resident aliens who are in the United States legally and who meet other requirements may qualify for Social Security benefits. According to the SSA, if yoru wife has been in the U.S. for at least 5 years (legally), and she is in a spousal relationship with someone who qualifies for Social Security for at least 5 years, then she qualifies for benefits on her spouse’s record (either spousal benefits or survivor benefits). It sounds like you were given wrong information by the person you spoke to; unfortunately, this happens quite often (call the Social Security office three times and you’ll get three different answers). I would contact the SSA again (and again if needed) until you get someone who understands the rules for resident aliens. Here’s a resource from the SSA that may help in your next discussion with them: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0302610030!opendocument
Bill says
Mothers who choose to stay at home also work. Mothers who work outside the home are not the only ones who “work”. They merely perform other kinds of work. As for moms who work inside the home, there’s a huge financial advantage with regard to social security. My wife was a stay at home “working” mother and paid zilch into soc sec but will begin to draw the FULL benefit (50% of my payment in addition to mine) at age 66 which will be $1200/month. Not bad for having paid nothing into it. Assuming late 80s for age at death, the breakeven age I have calculated is age 87 if comparing drawing at age 62 vs 67. Most folks don’t realize that drawing at age 62 results in not being able to get the full 50% of a spouse’s benefit. That only occurs at age 66. So my wife will then receive $1200 a month from age 66 until age 87 (assuming I live that long and she lives that long) which amounts to $302,400 having paid nothing into it. If I die earlier she receives my entire monthly payout of $2400. What a deal.