Social Security Eligibility: How to Qualify for Social Security Retirement Benefits

While millions of Americans rely on Social Security in their retirement years, not everyone qualifies.

Here are some general guidelines regarding Social Security eligibility:

How Long Do You Have To Work To Qualify For Benefits?

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 2009 the minimum amount you needed to earn in order to earn a credit is $1,090.  You can earn up to four credits per year, so someone who earns at least $4,360 in 2009 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, 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.  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 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

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 goverment 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 Social Security eligibility, please visit Factors That May Affect Your Retirement Benefits at www.ssa.gov.

Related posts:

1. Spousal Benefits: Applying for Social Security Benefits
2. Getting the Maximum Social Security Benefits
3. What is Social Security? A Brief History…
4. How are Social Security Benefits Calculated?
5. Common Social Security Retirement Questions